There are plenty of reasons to quit drinking alcohol.
Maybe you’ve developed a beer belly.
Whatever your circumstances are, you’re here, and you’re ready to kick the sauce.
Let’s breakdown what happens to your body once you quit drinking.
According to research, drinking increases brain wave patternsthat usually happen when you’re awake.
In normal deep sleep, the brain activity is in delta waves.
Consuming alcohol causes brain activity during sleep to happen in alpha waves.
Alpha waves are generally only seen in brain activity when we’re awake, but resting.
You may be thinking, “But I always fall asleep faster when I drink!”
That may be true, but it’s only for a little while.
It’s partially the simple concept of calorie countingalcohol, especially beer, contains alotof calories.
A single IPA may have as many as 200 calories; and a margarita could have roughly 300.
If you suddenly drop hundreds of calories a day, the pounds will drop off over time.
Plus, you’ll overeat less.Researchshows a link between alcohol consumption and heightened senses.
That, combined with alcohol’s famous ability to remove inhibitions, leads to extra eating.
Not so much “cause” as “force.”
In short, it’s severely dehydrating.
It decreases the production of a hormone that helps the body absorb and hold water.
This is why water is needed during a hangover.
After kicking the sauce, you should see a vast improvement in the quality of your skin.
Without alcohol in the body, that’s one less carcinogen to worry about.
You’ll crave alcohol
You probably saw that one coming.
If you’ve been drinking alcohol regularly, your body is going to take note when it’s gone.
The equilibrium your body created to adjust to alcohol in your system will no longer exist.
Between 48-72 hours is generallywhen the onset of ‘delirium tremens’ occursfor some.
At this stage your body begins to create a new equilibrium that does not include alcohol and its effects.
This is in part because alcohol useaffects neurotransmitters that are implicated in mood, such as serotonin.
There may also be underlying issues for whichalcohol has been used to self-medicate.
Your immune system will work better
Excessive drinking has been linked to manyimmune-related health effects.
Research suggests this is because alcohol overexerts the immune system.
The good news is that it can be reversed.
After you stop drinking, your immune system’s response will be strengthened over time.
This is important because fat accumulation in the liver can lead to liver damage and eventually liver disease.
Brain damage could be reversed
Extended alcohol use and abuse can negatively impact your brain.
If you’re a regular or heavy drinker, however, you may find it much more difficult.
Both internal and external triggers may lead you to want to start drinking again.
