Are you starting the new year healthier and avoiding alcohol in January?
A survey revealed the effects of "Dry January" on the body.
The immune system also benefits.
New year, new resolutions, they say.
At the top of the list is often: more exercise and a healthy diet.
For many, this also includes a “Dry January”.
This is the title of a health campaign by the British organization "Alcohol Change UK".
In 2021, the number of deaths linked to alcohol peaked there.
The campaign is now also widespread in Germany and Switzerland, among other places, and calls on people to avoid alcohol for the first four weeks of the new year.
But can this actually have a visible positive effect on the body?
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Not drinking alcohol for a month: not an easy task for many.
© alimdi/Arterra/Imago
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"Dry January": Better sleep, healthy skin - what alcohol fasting brings
In fact, the "Dry January" has many advantages.
A survey by the University of Sussex has shown that this improves sleep, concentration and the complexion, and makes it easier to lose weight.
The positive effects of abstaining from alcohol at a glance:
Sleep disorders are alleviated
Skin texture improves
Strengthening of the immune system
saving of calories
More energy in everyday life
Better concentration
Even the immune system can be strengthened by not drinking alcohol - because this way vitamins and minerals can be better absorbed.
Despite fasting, you don't have to give up the taste of wine completely.
Because in the meantime, non-alcoholic sparkling wine or wine can be found more and more often on the supermarket shelves.
Many spirits are also available as non-alcoholic versions.
"Dry January": Excessive alcohol consumption increases cancer risk
One thing is certain: those who do not drink alcohol live healthier lives - because the addictive substance not only makes you dependent, but is also harmful to your health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excessive alcohol consumption is linked to 200 diseases.
These include primarily liver and cardiovascular diseases, but also various cancers, such as pancreatic cancer.
If you consciously avoid alcohol for at least a while, you can already notice some positive changes in your body.
In addition, "Dry January" offers a good opportunity to question your own drinking behavior and to become aware of it.
From depression to alcohol addiction: an overview of the most common mental illnesses – every third person is affected
Alcohol addiction is one of the third most frequently diagnosed mental illnesses.
Together with drug dependence, alcohol dependence accounts for 5.7 percent of diagnoses.
About one in seven adults drinks alcohol in quantities that are hazardous to health.
According to the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists, alcohol is the most common addictive substance in Germany after nicotine.
1.8 million people are classified as alcohol dependent, and another 1.6 million drink alcohol in harmful amounts, it said.
(Iconic image) © Bode/Imago
In addition to alcohol addiction, drug dependency is one of the third most common mental illnesses in Germany.
© Jens Kalaene/dpa
The so-called affective disorders are among the mental illnesses that occur second most frequently in Germany.
The depression is probably the best-known representative of this group.
According to the German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology eV (dgppn), almost 10 percent of the diagnoses relate to this group of diseases.
Alone 8.2 percent are affected by a unipolar depression.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses.
Around 16 percent of the population suffers from a depressive disorder at least once in their lives, within a year it is about 8 percent, according to the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists.
(Iconic image) © Fabian Sommer/dpa
Anxiety disorders are the most common.
According to the dgppn, 15.4 of the diagnoses relate to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, fear of wide open spaces, etc. In those affected, the feeling of anxiety is so overwhelming that it restricts everyday life immensely.
Complaints such as tachycardia, sweating and tremors are among the symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
(symbol image) © Imago
Woman with tape measure in handEating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia are generally less widespread than the diseases mentioned above.
But in the female population between puberty and the age of 30, eating disorders are among the most common mental illnesses, according to the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists.
About one percent of women suffer from anorexia during their lifetime, about two percent suffer from bulimia in the course of their lives.
(Iconic image) © Sergiy Tryapitsyn/Imago
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
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