UNCORKED POTENTIAL

How much good can ditching drink for a month really do? Answer: a whole lot. In fact, science shows even short-term abstinence could unlock a cocktail of lasting benefits

- JOEL SNAPE

As you might already be aware, January isn't the nicest month to give things up - it's cold, it's dark and those holiday TV marathons feel a lifetime away. Yet, in the aftermath of the festive season, Dry January is becoming increasingly popular an estimated 15 per cent of US adults (260 million people) and 9 million Brits took part in 2024. And, according to recent scientific findings, they had good reason to.

First of all, it's worth mentioning that unless you're a heavy-enough drinker to experience withdrawal when you stop, there are no drawbacks to a month without alcohol- or cutting it out of your life entirely.

"The best evidence shows that the relationship between alcohol consumption and health is basically linear it's probably not true that a small amount of alcohol is good for you," says Marcus Munafò, professor of biological psychology at the University of Bristol.

"This is why the World Health Organization has said that there's no 'safe' amount that doesn't affect health in any way."

In other words, absolute abstinence could be your key to a healthier life. But what if that feels completely unachievable, or just undesirable, right now? Whether you're deep into Dry January or planning a break later in the year, you'll be happy to know that a mere month of abstinence could bring lasting benefits. In fact, new research shows that taking a 30-day break can help transform your physical and mental wellbeing.

RAPID RECOVERY

Once you've made the decision to quit, the first benefits you're likely to experience can come surprisingly quickly. For regular drinkers, just 24 hours without alcohol can lead to improvements, such as better hydration and more stable blood sugar levels. From there - full disclosure - you might experience a slight slump for a couple of days as your dopamine levels stabilise. But persevere and the upswing should come.