3 Things That Will Happen If You Give Up Alcohol For A Month

With juice cleanses, gluten-free diets, and detox smoothie recipes working their way into many people's live it is safe to say a cleansing craze is slowly, but surely, sweeping the nation. The myths surrong "healthy" sports drinks have been busted, soda sales are down, and water is the most popular drink in America. With that, it's beginning to look like Americans are looking to take steps towards healthy living — and in our opinion, that's something to get excited about.

We at The Daily Meal are fully supportive of the current health craze. There are many ways one can begin to venture down the path to a healthier life — but if you're looking to dive in head first, we've got the ultimate suggestion: giving up alcohol.

Everybody loves a glass of wine or a bottle of beer from time to time, but it's no secret that guzzling down a ton of booze can be harmful for your health. According to WebMD, alcohol consumption can potentially cause cirrhosis of the liver and cardiovascular disease, among other health risks.

Before you go into a full panic — don't worry, we aren't talking about giving up booze until the end of time. In fact, we suggest you start slow — just like you would if you were giving up anything else. The best way to try to cut something out of your weekly routine is to slowly limit your consumption. Then, choose a time frame during which you completely refrain, for this experiement we suggest trying it for a month.

Why? Here are three things that may happen if you decide to give it a go.

You'll Feel Energized

According to a study by the Wakeforest University Baptist Medical center, alcohol disrupts the deeper stages of sleep. Have you ever gone out for a long night of drinking, only to realize you naturally wake you up at 6 a.m.? Your body is responding to the booze you drank the night before. Cut out drinking for 30 days and take note on how energized you feel throughout the day — you may be surprised.

You'll Stay Hydrated

There are two ways refraining from alcohol will keep you hydrated. First off, alcohol decreases the body's production of antidiuretic hormone — normally used by the body to reabsorb water. Second, when you head out with a night with your friends, refraining from alcohol will force you to opt out for a healthier, more hydrating option — such as tea, natural juices, or good old H20.

Your Skin will Thank You

Have you ever noticed that after a long night of drinking, your face feels tight or irritated the next day? This happens because of the damage alcohol puts on the liver. The main function of the liver is to clear your body from toxins. Your liver can't clear toxins if it's busy fighting alcohol! When the liver has its full attention on the booze you're drinking, other parts of your body — such as your skin — get the shorter end of the stick.