Dry January®

What going tee-total can do for your health, wellbeing; and your wallet!

January is a time when many people will be looking towards their health & lifestyle and addressing factors which may be affecting overall wellbeing.  Alcohol forms part of many celebrations, social events and mealtimes, especially over the festive period. Whilst alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation it is also important to raise awareness of how alcohol can affect your mental and physical health.

  • Alcohol can contribute to anxiety and depression
  • Alcohol is linked to certain health conditions. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure. [1]Consistently drinking more than 14 units per week over several years can lead to a number of alcohol related diseases such as stroke, heart disease, liver disease, cancer and damage to the nervous system. [2]
  • Alcohol contributes to our energy intake so therefore can also lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. Alcohol provides 7kcal per gram and these are ‘empty calories’ as alcohol is of no nutritional benefit.

For those choosing to give Dry January® a go this year there can therefore be lots of benefits to your health and wellbeing. Research published by the Royal Free Hospital in 2018 [3] found that a month of no alcohol consumption:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Reduces diabetes risk
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Reduces levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood

Going teetotal can also help you to:

  • Maintain a healthy weight long- term
  • Sleep better and increase the amount of quality sleep you get
  • Feel more mentally focused
  • Keep your wallet fuller!

 

Furthermore, according to research, abstaining from alcohol for a short period can help people to drink more healthily year-round. The University of Sussex found that six months after the Dry January® challenge, more than 70% of people who take on the Dry January® month using Alcohol Change UK's 'Try Dry®' app or coaching emails, are still drinking more healthily. [4]

You’ll find some delicious mocktail recipes below to enjoy, that are easy to make!

Mocktail Recipe Inspiration

Cranberry, Plum & Mint Mojito

A fruit mocktail, perfect for entertaining

find out more

Apple & Mint Mojito

A delicious, refreshing mocktail

find out more

References:

[1] NHS, 2019. High blood pressure (hypertension). Available at: NHS Choices (2019). High blood pressure (hypertension). (Date accessed 31-12-24).

[2] NHS, 2022. The risks of drinking too much – No “safe” drinking level” – NHS. Available at: The risks of drinking too much - NHS. (Date accessed 31-12-24)

[3] Mehta, G., Macdonald, S., Cronberg, A., Rosselli, M., Khera-Butler, T., Sumpter, C., Al-Khatib, S., Jain, A., Maurice, J., Charalambous, C. and Gander, A., 2018. Short-term abstinence from alcohol and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, liver function tests and cancer-related growth factors: a prospective observational study. BMJ open, 8(5), p.e020673.

[4] de Visser, R.O. and Nicholls, J., 2020. Temporary abstinence during Dry January: predictors of success; impact on well-being and self-efficacy. Psychology & Health, 35(11), pp.1293-1305.