A “dry January” – abstaining from alcohol for a month – has been shown to have benefits such as improving sleep quality and increasing energy, but research has shown that abstaining from alcohol could also help you live longer and look younger.
“Everybody feels better [after] “It’s sobriety month, folks,” said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, chief medical correspondent for ABC News and board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and bariatric medicine, who has participated in Dry January for the past seven years.
Here are three things you need to know about why swapping out your cocktails for non-alcoholic drinks, even if just for a month, could help you live longer, feel better, and even look younger.
1. Alcohol consumption is linked to age-related diseases
Alcohol consumption, especially if consumed in excess or binge drinking, has many adverse effects on your health.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to the risk of accidents and injuries, alcohol use is also a risk factor for a variety of cancers, including breast and gastrointestinal cancer, liver disease, stroke, heart disease, mood and memory disorders, many of which can lead to premature death and premature aging.
“The harmful effects of alcohol ripple through communities, affecting our bodies and minds, straining our healthcare system and leaving a devastating mark on lives,” Dr Michael Caldwell, chief medical officer of Dry January USA, the US branch of Alcohol Change UK, the charity that launched the Dry January movement 10 years ago, told ABC News.
2. Alcohol can worsen skin conditions
Alcohol intake also plays a role in skin health.
A 2019 study of more than 3,000 women between the ages of 18 and 75 found that heavy alcohol consumption, defined as eight or more drinks per week, was associated with puffiness under the eyes, increased upper facial wrinkles, prominent blood vessels, and loss of facial volume.
Alcohol has a dehydrating effect that can reduce skin elasticity and make it look dry.
Research has also shown that alcohol consumption can worsen skin conditions such as psoriasis, an inflammatory disease that causes visible skin damage.
3. Alcohol is associated with biological aging
Aside from diseases and visible signs of aging, alcohol consumption is also associated with biological aging.
A large-scale study published in Nature in 2022 analyzed nearly 250,000 biological samples from the UK and found that high alcohol intake is associated with shorter telomere length, a potential biological marker of aging that could lead to an increase in age-related diseases.
While there is a lack of research specifically looking at the anti-aging effects of abstinence, some evidence suggests that reducing alcohol intake may improve negative health outcomes and extend lifespan.
In this undated stock photo, a woman’s hand can be seen covering a wine glass.
Stock Photo/Getty Images
A 2018 study published in the British Medical Journal of nearly 100 participants who abstained from alcohol for a month and 50 who did not abstain found that moderate-to-heavy drinkers who abstained saw improved health indicators, including lower insulin resistance, weight, blood pressure, and certain cancer-related biological markers.
Doctors also say that what we know about the negative health effects of alcohol consumption can help us understand how abstaining from alcohol can help delay age-related diseases and signs of aging, as well as prevent age-related mental decline.
“Drinking alcohol dehydrates the skin, increases inflammation and promotes premature aging,” Caldwell said, adding that cutting down on alcohol may lead to “improved mental health, improved clarity of mind, and more meaningful relationships.”
How to Start Reducing Your Alcohol Intake
If you decide to take part in a Dry Jamwary, or if you’re simply looking to cut down on your alcohol intake, Ashton recommends telling a friend you’re taking part, so they’ll feel accountable.
Ashton also recommends marking successful days off on a calendar to track your progress and trying mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks, especially if you can’t avoid triggering social situations.
There are also mobile apps such as Try Dry, run by Alcohol Change UK, which offer similar tracking and accountability for reaching Dry January goals.
“Reducing or eliminating alcohol from your life, even for a short period of time, can have a lot more benefits than you might think,” Caldwell says.
Mr Ashton warned that the Dry Jamwary campaign was not a tool for people struggling with alcoholism.
“I can’t stress this enough,” she said, “This is not a reason to abstain or stay sober, but if you are trying to cut down and struggling, please seek professional help.”
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSA) confidential, toll-free, 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For more information and resources about alcohol-related issues and health, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) website here.
Dr. Jade A. Coburn, MD, MPH, is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in general preventive medicine and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
