7+ Major Health Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol

benefits of not drinking

Have you thought about what your life might look like without cocktails, beer, wine? It might not Read on to learn all about the health benefits of not drinking alcohol.

Alcohol is a huge part of our culture. We drink alcohol for celebrations, relaxation, date nights, or even just curled up on the couch with our favorite guilty pleasure reality TV show. Even terms like “mommy wine culture” and “daddy beer culture” appeared in response to the widespread popularity of alcohol consumption as an antidote to the exhausting responsibilities of parenthood. But in the long run, the benefits of not drinking alcohol may far outweigh the short-term buzz.

1. Improved Sleep Quality

Alcohol is a depressant, so it may be easy to confuse its effects with a more blissful sleep as you drift off into slumber. However, one key factor is that overall sleep quality is reduced. According to SleepFoundation.org, even a low level of alcohol consumption (less than two drinks for men and less than one drink for women) decreases sleep quality by 9.3%, moderate by 24%, and high by 39.2%.

Drinking alcohol before bed can also create an imbalance between slow-wave sleep and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which can result in shorter sleep duration and more sleep disruptions. As you reduce alcohol intake or forgo it entirely, you may begin noticing a more restful sleep and higher energy. Better sleep patterns also lead to better cognitive functions like learning, problems solving, creativity, and eating habits.

benefits of not drinking sleeping

2. Improved Mental Health

When you drink alcohol, you likely experience a euphoric feeling. Alcohol use overloads the brain with dopamine, reducing the brain’s dopamine receptors in the process. When you first quit drinking, the lack of dopamine and diminished receptors can lead to negative feelings as your brain is used to the expectant dopamine rush. Over time, though, your brain and body begin to adapt.

Better mental health may be one of the most significant benefits you’ll notice after quitting alcohol. While more severe issues like alcohol addiction and chronic physical and mental illness can result, even short-term abstention from alcohol can yield results. You may see a reduction in mental fog, anxiety, and mood swings. On the positive side, you can potentially see benefits such as an improved mood, greater concentration, and memory.

In two studies, researchers observed that people who had never consumed alcohol had the greatest level of mental well-being at baseline. People who had quit drinking — particularly women — experienced a significant improvement in mental health.

3. Improved Skin Health

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning your skin loses fluid and nutrients vital for healthy-looking skin. This can make your skin look wrinkled, dull, bloated, and puffy. The effect of alcohol on your immune system and the way your circulatory system works affect the skin too. Drinking alcohol can cause or worsen skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea. If you experience these skin disorders, you certainly may see improvement when you stop drinking.

The benefits of not drinking alcohol as it pertains to hydration go further than skin-deep. Better hydration improves digestion, body temperature regulation, joint lubrication, waste disposal, skin health, mood, and so much more. Make sure to drink a lot of water when abstaining from alcohol. You may start to feel the benefits of better hydration within the first day.

benefits of not drinking skin

4. Weight Loss

Alcohol contains around seven calories a gram – almost as many as pure fat. “Empty calories” from alcohol have no nutritional value, meaning they don’t benefit your body in any way. Not to mention, most drinks have additional calories from sugar or starch. If you were to give up drinking seven glasses of wine a week, you would save around 840 calories. Specialty cocktails can be some of the worst offenders regarding a high-calorie count.

Most people don’t modify their diets to accommodate the extra calories from alcohol consumption, which can lead to weight gain. When you reduce or eliminate alcohol from your diet, with a reduction of passive calories, you may see that the number on the scale decrease. As you experience weight loss, you may also begin to see other positive health changes.

5. Money Savings

If you order a cocktail or two at a restaurant, it can shock you when the bill arrives. It’s not uncommon for a specialty cocktail to run anywhere from $15-20. That extra bottle or six-pack per week you buy from the grocery store can add up, too. When you stop drinking alcoholic beverages, you’ll begin to feel the ease in your wallet and start spending on other things you love.

save money benefits of not drinking

6. Improved Immunity

Alcohol’s combined effects on both innate and adaptive immunity significantly weaken your body’s defenses, predisposing chronic drinkers to a wide range of health problems, including infections and systemic inflammation.

One of the most significant immediate effects of alcohol is that it affects the integrity of the GI tract. Alcohol alters the numbers and relative abundances of microbes in the gut microbiome, microorganisms in the intestine that aid in normal gut function. These organisms affect the function of the immune system. When you stop drinking for a period of time, you let your gut and immunity heal.

7. Lowered Risk of Disease

Giving up alcohol is no easy decision, but when you look at the potential risk factors, heavy drinking significantly increases your risk of conditions and diseases like:

  • cancer
  • liver disease
  • dementia
  • fibrosis
  • heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • pancreatitis
  • stroke
  • digestive issues
  • gastrointestinal disorders
  • arrhythmia

However, even light to moderate drinking can increase your risk, too. Alcohol is a known human carcinogen (poison) to your body, particularly internal organs. The less wear and tear you inflict on your body, the better off you’ll be.

lower disease risk benefits of not drinking

Enjoy the Delicious World of Mocktails

If you decide to give up alcohol, you don’t have to forgo a fun and fancy drink at social functions. As the sober-curious movement continues to gain popularity, many restaurants are starting to offer mocktails as an alternative to their alcoholic beverage menu. These are fun and tasty drinks designed to mimic the composition and flavors of cocktails, sans alcohol, of course. Sometimes even the experience of holding a beautiful, delicious, or refreshing drink can be equally stimulating. Even larger beer companies like Samuel Adams and Heineken have jumped on the bandwagon by offering non-alcoholic beers.

One of our writers, Mai Trinh, writes extensively on sober-curious parenting and how giving up alcohol completely continues to impact her overall lifestyle and family. Check out her confessional from “500 days sober,” where she reflects on all the ways sobriety brings positive change, even for a more “casual drinker.”

Tips for Not Drinking Alcohol

If you suspect you may engage in alcohol abuse or frequent binge drinking, consult with a doctor before quitting alcohol cold turkey. Your body may need a slower transition in order to prevent dangerous health events or larger issues.

If you’re more of a “social drinker” or experience light to moderate drinking, try some of the following:

Have someone else hold you accountable. Giving up alcohol is no easy feat, especially in a culture where “grabbing some beers” or sharing a bottle of wine is such a staple among friends. But if you know someone else who is ready to experience the health benefits of not drinking alcohol, invite them into your journey.

Build up an arsenal of alternatives. We mentioned mocktails and non-alcoholic beers above, but that may not be your style. Some people love to crack open a cold seltzer water or lemonade. No matter what you choose, make sure it’s a healthy and sustainable alternative. If you’re more of an at-home drinker, you could find a new hobby that keeps your mind and hands busy.

Record your journey in a journal. When you’re going through changes over time, it can be difficult to recognize them as they happen. By keeping a journal of your mental and physical experiences each day, you can more easily look back and take pride in tangible progress.

Talk to a mental health professional. If alcohol plays a role in your life, you’ll likely experience feelings of loss, especially if you tend to use it as a coping mechanism. By prioritizing your mental health and engaging with a certified professional, you’ll have a support system as you find new, safer ways to improve your mental health.

Enjoy the Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol and Start Feeling Your Best!

No matter why you choose to give up alcohol, you’re putting your physical and mental health as a priority–both in the short-term and the long-term. Are you ready to stop drinking and reap the benefits?

If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol abuse or addiction, help is available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a national 24-hour addiction hotline available 24 hours a day, every day of the year at 1-(800) 662-HELP (4357).

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