10 things that happen to your body when you stop drinking alcohol

South Africans have officially been in lockdown for eight weeks now. While most people agree with the reasoning behind this extreme physical distancing, there are a few restrictions that have not been embraced by a large portion of our population.

The ban on alcohol sales is definitely one of those. Social media has been flooded with comments from people bemoaning the absence of their favourite tipple, and some have turned to home brewing, with mixed results.

However, we should remember that there is always a silver lining to those dark clouds. Instead of placing too much focus on how “dry” the situation currently is, how about we tap into our uniquely South African spirit and focus on the positives?

According to The Change Exchange, here are 10 good things that happen when you stop drinking:

Your heart gets stronger

Quitting alcohol doesn’t just lower your blood pressure and triglyceride levels; it also improves the physical functionality of your heart as a hard-working muscle. All in all, this means you’re less likely to suffer from a heart condition or stroke.

Picture: iStock

Your brain works better

Research shows that regular alcohol consumption can shrink the prefrontal cortex – which is linked to planning and decision-making – as well as certain parts of the cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and motor control.

The result? A reduced ability to perform many functions, from thinking clearly and multitasking to moving in a coordinated manner and accessing short-term memories.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, quitting for a few months or longer will improve your problem-solving skills and reverse the negative effects of alcohol on memory and attention. Even your mood is likely to improve!

Your liver recovers

After just a month of sobriety, your liver fat decreases by an average of 15%. This makes your liver much healthier and improves its ability to detoxify your body effectively – and that in itself will have a host of knock-on health benefits.

Picture: iStock

You lose weight

Alcoholic beverages may be adding hundreds of empty calories to your diet, especially when they’re combined with high-sugar mixers such as fruit juice or tonic water.

Research has shown that alcohol consumption increases your appetite for unhealthy, high-calorie foods – so it’s no surprise that cutting consumption will reduce belly fat and bloating, and help you to get (and stay) in shape.

You sleep better

A few drinks may make falling asleep easier, but they’re also likely to disrupt your sleep patterns and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night. Quitting will allow you to sleep more deeply and wake up more easily the next morning, feeling refreshed, well-rested and ready for the day.

Picture: iStock

Your skin glows

Say goodbye to puffiness and blotchiness. After just a week of sobriety, your skin will begin to look smoother and more youthful as hydration increases and inflammation settles down. It’s like an internal makeover – and it actually saves you money!

Your eyes sparkle

Dehydration can make your eyes appear dull and lifeless, which – coupled with the bags under your eyes from poor sleep – can give you the appearance of someone who is constantly tired and unfocused.

Reversing this will have a profound effect on your ability to make a good first impression, and look as energised as you feel.

Picture: iStock

Your risk of mouth, liver, oesophageal and breast cancer drops

According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2012, alcohol is responsible for 3.5% of US cancer deaths.

When you drink, your body converts the alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is a chemical that damages DNA. When your DNA sequence is damaged, your cells may begin to divide when they shouldn’t, and this is how a tumour is formed.

No wonder the 2012 study suggests that “reducing alcohol consumption is an important and underemphasised cancer-prevention strategy”.

Picture: iStock

Your immune system strengthens

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking can weaken your immune system and leave you more vulnerable to diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Even one bout of excessive drinking can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections for up to 24 hours.

Your digestion improves

Not only does alcohol damage your pancreas and liver, but it also has a negative impact on nutrient and vitamin absorption by the small intestines.

When you quit, your body becomes significantly better at eliminating toxins and utilising all the nutrients it needs to perform at its best – and allow you to perform at yours.

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