Enjoying a glass of wine does have its benefits. For instance, moderate red wine consumption, defined as one five-ounce glass a day for women and two for men, can be advantageous. Red wine may boost HDL or “good” cholesterol and enhance blood vessel health through antioxidants. Additionally, it contains essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, potassium, and calcium. However, it may also trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate conditions like gout and liver disease.
Despite the presence of antioxidants, regular wine consumption could lead to weight gain, increased blood pressure, and disrupted sleep. Furthermore, ethanol and acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages are potentially linked to certain cancers. Excessive wine intake might harm heart muscles, resulting in cardiomyopathy, and could cause irregular heart rhythms, elevate blood pressure, and heighten the risk of heart attacks. Therefore, choosing another beverage at dinner might be wise. Here are some benefits you might experience if you do.
Your sleep quality improves
Alcohol can disrupt sleep by affecting rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and worsening sleep apnea. It may also interfere with melatonin production in the brain, a hormone signaling the body to sleep. When alcohol impacts melatonin production, it can lead to fragmented and poor-quality sleep.
According to a Sleep Foundation study, 60% of people reported better sleep after quitting drinking. Additionally, 40% noted sleep disturbances after consuming three to four drinks in the evening. People who stopped drinking, even briefly, reported more restful sleep, feeling refreshed upon waking, and experiencing less daytime fatigue.
You feel more hydrated
According to the Addiction Center, alcohol depletes bodily fluids, causing dehydration, especially when consumed in large amounts. Heavy drinkers often neglect proper hydration and make poor nutritional choices, amplifying alcohol’s effects. By forgoing wine, you can achieve rehydration, healthier skin, and reduced puffiness and blotching.
Sober life coach and podcaster Courtney Anderson explains that alcohol’s diuretic effect increases urine production, leading to dehydration. This can cause dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. It may also disrupt electrolytes, potentially worsening when you stop drinking. Thus, replenishing electrolytes through electrolyte-rich drinks and foods high in electrolytes, such as bananas, nuts, and leafy greens, is essential.
Your weight could drop
As noted by Alis Behavioral Health, wine can be calorie-dense, with a five-ounce glass containing 120 to 130 calories. Some varieties can exceed 200 calories. The high calorie content often correlates with sugar levels. Sweeter wines and dessert wines are higher in calories, as are wines with more alcohol. Cutting out wine reduces your calorie intake. (Here are myths about calories you should stop believing.)
People often consume wine to manage stress, but alcohol can heighten anxiety and stress levels. It raises cortisol levels, potentially causing heart disease, emotional regulation issues, and weight gain. Eliminating wine can balance stress, lower cortisol levels, and assist in maintaining weight.
You may feel more focused
A 2019 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that adults, especially women, experienced improved mental clarity after quitting drinking. The study revealed that those with the best mental health didn’t consume alcohol. Among profiled women, those who stopped drinking scored 1.4 points higher on a mental health scale than those who never drank.
Quitting alcohol may induce physical brain changes, positively affecting mental clarity. Drinking damages the frontal lobe, affecting memory, reasoning, and motor function. Abstaining allows the frontal lobe to regenerate, restoring some functions. It also boosts dopamine and serotonin production, enhancing happiness and well-being.
You can get a boost for your immune system
According to Business Insider, alcohol can damage your body while passing through. Excessive intake can cause conditions like gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease. It also suppresses the immune system, increasing vulnerability to respiratory illnesses and the common cold. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation indicates that five to six drinks can suppress immunity for a day.
A 2015 study in Alcohol Research: Current Reviews showed that alcohol affects both innate and adaptive immunity. These disruptions increase susceptibility to inflammation, organ damage, and slower healing. Additionally, respiratory infections may worsen, with airway damage sometimes appearing only when illness strikes.
Your blood sugar can stabilize
During fasting periods, like sleeping and between meals, your liver stabilizes blood sugar by releasing glucose (via Johns Hopkins Medicine). However, drinking shifts the liver’s focus to alcohol processing. As alcohol breaks down, byproducts hinder glucose production, risking hypoglycemia.
Wine, rich in sugar and carbs, can cause sharp blood sugar spikes, per Guardian Recovery. Once you stop drinking, your body regulates levels more steadily. Without frequent drinking-induced spikes, especially from sugary drinks or wine, glucose levels stabilize. Additionally, cutting carbs helps prevent weight gain, reducing obesity risk linked to insulin resistance.
Your blood pressure and heart rate can improve
A 2020 study in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews showed alcohol’s clear impact on blood pressure and heart rate. The study found that blood pressure drops within six to 12 hours after moderate to high drinking. However, after about 13 hours, especially following high intake, blood pressure rises above baseline. Additionally, heart rate increases while drinking and remains elevated longer with higher amounts.
A 2006 study in the Journal of Hypertension found that 13 of 14 participants saw their blood pressure normalize after quitting drinking. The researchers also noted that alcohol withdrawal reduced stress hormones like aldosterone and cortisol. Initially, heavy drinkers had higher levels of endothelin and PAI-1, linked to blood vessel constriction. Abstaining from alcohol steadily reduced these levels.
Your cancer risk could drop
Alcohol consumption increases cancer risk due to various bodily harms (via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). It can damage DNA, cause long-term inflammation, and elevate hormones like estrogen, linked to breast cancer. In the mouth and throat, it facilitates harmful chemical entry into cells. Over time, these chemicals can increase cancer risk throughout the body.
According to Medical News Today, alcohol is classified by the World Health Organization as a Group 1 carcinogen linked to several cancers, including mouth, liver, throat, breast, and colorectal. Abstinence doesn’t entirely eliminate risk but reduces bodily damage that can cause cancers, especially oral and esophageal. The longer someone remains alcohol-free, the more the risk declines.
Your gut health could rebound
Alcohol can disrupt your gut and oral microbiomes (via MD Anderson Cancer Center). Consuming wine and other alcoholic drinks can cause inflammation, a weaker gut barrier, and harmful substances entering the liver and bloodstream. As the body breaks down alcohol, it produces toxic byproducts known as metabolites, negatively impacting the gut. Over time, it can weaken the intestinal lining, leading to “leaky gut,” where harmful substances enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation. (Here are foods to eat and avoid if you have a leaky gut.)
Quitting drinking may reverse much of the digestive damage. It’s important to see a doctor to determine what can be reversed and the extent of the damage. Many people notice improvement over time. Typically, three weeks of sobriety can begin healing gut inflammation, but ulcer recovery may take months.
