By Caroline Shannon-Karasik - InStyle
The following contains excerpts of a recent InStyle Sober October article.
Sorry to break it to you, but despite headlines you may have seen touting the benefits of being a wino, a 2018 study showed that there is no level of alcohol consumption that improves your health.
In fact, alcohol takes a serious toll on pretty much every major organ in your body, including your brain, heart, liver, pancreas. Drinking also puts you at a higher risk for stroke, high blood pressure, and even increased risk of certain cancers, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Luckily, going sober for just one month can have physical health benefits. A 2015 study found participants who stopped drinking over a five-week period saw a reduced risk of liver damage, improved glucose balance, and improved weight loss efforts, according to Medical Daily. A month without alcohol has also been shown to lower cancer-promoting proteins in your blood.
Not only will you feel better in the short-term, but the challenge can also help you evaluate your alcohol consumption throughout the rest of the year — and beyond. "Many people don't realize how much alcohol they're drinking," says Nate Favini, M.D., medical lead at Forward, a preventive primary care service. "Sober October is a great opportunity to put that in perspective and see how the alcohol you drink is impacting you."
Go alcohol free for 5 weeks and not only improve your health but help to raise funds for important charitable causes. Sign up here for the latest dry season: Participate
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