6 Benefits of Cutting Down on Alcohol

We often hear stories about people who lose weight or clear up their skin once they quit drinking. It’s an interesting prospect and something worth considering when you consider all the calories being cut.

In truth, there’s not much of a positive effect from alcohol. Sure, it’s a nice way to socialize with friends and family. And, in moderation, it can be minimally harmful.

But, the detriments far outweigh the perks. With all that in mind, you may be wondering, “What are the benefits of cutting down on alcohol?” Let’s take a deep dive.

What Is Alcohol?

It’s everywhere – all around us. If adults are dining, they’re pairing their meals with wine, beer, or a pre-course cocktail. If friends are meeting up after a long time, they’re gathering over a bottle of wine. If families are celebrating, they're raising a glass to one another. And on and on.

So, what, exactly, are we ingesting every time we toast our family and friends?

Alcohol is created when yeast ferments the sugars found in grains, fruits, or vegetables. It converts into something called ethanol. And, yes, that’s the same ethanol found in the gasoline we pump into our cars.

Alcohol is most assuredly a toxin to our system. Technically speaking, it’s classified as a drug because the chemicals found therein temporarily alter the brain. And, of course, when consumed in excess in a short amount of time, people run the risk of alcohol poisoning.

It’s also worth noting that alcohol affects every organ in the body. It depresses the central nervous system. It taxes the liver as it metabolizes the toxins. Similarly, it taxes the kidneys as they filter the blood. It dehydrates the skin. And it constricts blood vessels, thus taxing the heart.

That’s a lot of unnecessary work for a group of organs that have a lot of other tasks to undertake throughout the day.

Are There Any Benefits to Drinking?

Before we get into the cons of cutting this toxin out of our system, let’s see if there are any benefits to alcohol consumption.

The key to remember with any of these prospective benefits is one word: moderation. In moderation, it’s possible that alcohol can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because moderate consumption can raise HDL, or the “good” cholesterol.

Again, with moderation (that is, one small glass a day for women and two small glasses a day for men), there’s a possibility that alcohol can also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. It may also aid in digestion if drunk before a meal. And, of course, there are psychologically soothing benefits if enjoyed at the end of a stressful day.

The trouble with these potential benefits is that, over time, people build up an immunity to alcohol. So, that small glass a day may be less and less rewarding as time goes by and the body builds up a higher and higher tolerance to these chemicals.

Genetics also plays a role in any of these benefits and disadvantages. Some people can metabolize alcohol faster than others. Also, certain people seem to have a higher tolerance for heady brews than others. So, what works for one may not work for another.

Benefits of Cutting Down on Alcohol

With an understanding of what it is we’re ingesting every time we raise a pint, as well as the small smattering of benefits, let’s shift into the benefits of cutting down on alcohol.

Lower Calorie Intake

Alcohol contains approximately seven calories per gram. When you consider how small a single gram is, you can easily imagine why they quickly pile up with each glass or wine or beer.

A glass of wine, for example, contains approximately 123 calories; a pint of beer contains about 208.

We often hear about “beer bellies” and “muffin tops.” If someone drinks, their alcohol-related calories are likely to gather around their bellies because much of the fat from alcohol settles into the abdomen.

Typically, these 100-200 calories are in addition to our normal daily intake. Whether we’re consuming 1,200 or 2,000 calories a day, the addition of 200 or more calories day over day can really add up over time, making this one of the greatest benefits of drinking less.

Improved Skin

Along with being a toxin, alcohol is also a diuretic. It pulls fluids out of our system through the renal system, thus dehydrating it. Again, you can see how alcohol impacts every organ in the body because the renal system includes the kidneys, bladder, and ureters.

As it pulls out those fluids, it’s also pulling out valuable nutrients. Many people who quit drinking report brighter, more moisturized skin. With a return to hydration, this can also create a plumper, fuller look.

This doesn’t just relate to the skin we care about the most – our face. It also equates to dry scalp and an overall sense of dryness and itchiness all over the body. When we drink less, we can nourish our skin more without even lifting a finger.

Increased Energy

Although people are known to “pass out” if they drink too much, the presence of alcohol in the system actually disrupts our REM cycle. People may pass out for a time, but they’re often prohibiting their bodies from entering into the deep REM-stage cycle that comes with a proper night’s sleep.

To no surprise, our body heals itself as we sleep. When you put that in light of the fact that alcohol taxes every organ in the body – and now it can’t heal itself – it’s a bit of a double whammy.

Improved Mood

This goes without say, on the heels of a discussion about how alcohol affects sleep. But, when alcohol is removed from our system it can improve our mood for another reason.

Although people like to imbibe to chase that buzz, alcohol is actually a depressant. When that “high” wears off, the effects of the depressant can increase existing feelings of sadness, loneliness, depression, or anxiety. Alcohol disrupts the healthy balance of chemicals in our brain (like dopamine and serotonin).

If someone drinks long-term and then chooses to stop drinking, there’s a likelihood their overall outlook on life will improve because the removal of this chemical may positively impact their thoughts, moods, feelings, and actions.

Better Gut Health

Remember, alcohol contains the same compound we pour into our gas tanks – ethanol. To no surprise, something like that can irritate the cells in the stomach lining.

As a potent chemical, it may also neutralize some of the important acids in the stomach that are vital to food digestion.

Additionally, it may also reduce the stomach’s ability to combat harmful bacteria that enters through the various foods we eat. When that happens, the body is – again – forced to do more work than it might ordinarily take on.

In essence, alcohol is a roadblock to the body’s normal activities. Once people start drinking less, their systems stand a better chance of performing at peak levels.

Improved Immunity

You may know that 70% of our immune system lives in our gut. It makes sense when you consider all the bacteria it has to sift through. And not all bacteria is bad. But, the intestines know what to weed out and what to maintain.

When you pour “gasoline onto the fire” it really disrupts the everyday operations of our gut and, thus, our immune system. People who quit drinking often end up being more able to fight off common colds and other diseases.

How to Count Down on Alcohol

While there are certainly circumstances where it can be harder for some people to quit alcohol, such as those dealing with addiction, many others drink simply for social reasons. If your friend group goes to bottomless mimosas brunches or your work has happy hours, it can be difficult to cut back on drinking.

But, there are alcohol alternatives you can choose, so you can still enjoy your social time while sticking to your goals.

Order a Club Soda

Aside from the buzz you can get from drinking alcohol, one of the other appeals is the taste. Many people like the taste and carbonation you can get from alcohol, so if you're cutting down on alcohol, choosing an alternative that mimics the taste can help.

Instead of ordering a cocktail at the bar, order a club soda. This can help you feel less excluded from the group, not to mention there are health benefits of club soda. People who drink club soda reported feeling more full - which can help curb those hunger cravings in between meals. Club soda can also help improve digestion and help constipation.

Order a Non-Alcoholic Drink

Many bars and restaurants will offer nonalcoholic beers, wines, or mocktails on their menu - all you have to do is ask. These drinks are dealcoholized versions, and they're becoming more and more popular. If you're hosting the party at your house, there are plenty of recipes you can find online and on social media to help you make craft mocktails for yourself or any other sober guests.

If you're unsure of where to start or what to look for, check out some of the best nonalcoholic drinks here.

Skip the Happy Hour

If you feel like you have a hard time controlling yourself around alcohol or around others drinking it, it may be more beneficial to skip the social hour completely. This doesn't mean you can never go out again, but you should consider distancing yourself from alcohol until you feel you can better control yourself around drinks.

Also remember, you're not obligated to tell anyone why you're not drinking. Of course you can, but if you feel uncomfortable sharing your struggles with alcohol, you can keep it to yourself and politely decline the invitation to go out.

A Wealth of Benefits of Cutting Down on Alcohol

As you can see, there are a wealth of benefits of cutting down on alcohol. Absolutely every area of the body – from the mind to the kidneys – is impacted.

When this toxin is removed from the system, all our organs can operate the way they were meant to.

If you’re considering pulling back on alcohol in the coming weeks and months, we wish you great success! And, as you can see, your whole body will thank you for it.

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