The Myth About Alcohol

by Donna Wright

Put the Wine Glass Down if You Want to Live Longer 

We’ve all had that one aunt who lived until she was 100 years old and swore that drinking a glass of wine every night was the secret. 

Well, that is a myth that many people want to believe as justification for drinking alcohol daily. There are many factors that lead to longevity and drinking alcohol is NOT on the list. In fact, experts say to avoid alcohol to live longer. 

Surprising Statistics about Drinking Alcohol 

Using alcohol on occasion or over a long period of time can have immediate and long-term health risks. Alcohol is a factor involving hundreds of diseases and injuries. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, “About 178,000 people die from excessive alcohol use each year in the United States.” Those statistics prove that alcohol abuse does have a direct effect on longevity. 

And since we’re talking statistics, moderate drinking is defined as one drink per day or less for women and two drinks per day or less for men. If you’re consuming more drinks than that, it’s considered heavy drinking. The bottom line is that alcohol can be considered as toxic as it puts drinkers at a higher risk of alcohol-related health problems and the day-to-day effects on your comprehensive well-being can take a toll on your entire quality of life and lifespan. 

Alcoholism is a disorder that impairs the ability to stop or control alcohol use. This can result in severe physical and mental health-related issues, along with social challenges. 

Benefits of NOT Drinking Alcohol May Improve Longevity 

Whether you have a concern about the effects of your alcohol consumption on your well-being, or you casually drink but still question the lasting effects of alcohol, it’s becoming clear that there are benefits to NOT drinking alcohol. When you consider the benefits, you will see that each benefit has a correlation to longevity so alcohol can directly interrupt those benefits thereby shortening your lifespan. 

No Alcohol Allows You Better Sleep 

When it comes to longevity, it’s important to get good quality of sleep. Drinking alcohol to fall asleep disrupts the sleep cycle. Plus, the more excessively that one drinks alcohol, the worse their sleep will be. The sugar content in alcohol is a sleep disruptor that makes people wake up feeling fatigued the next day.   

Giving up drinking alcohol allows the body to restore its natural sleep-wake rhythm and experience deeper, more restorative sleep cycles. This allows the body and mind to fully recharge, leading to increased energy levels, improved cognitive function, mental clarity, and an overall sense of well-being. So, consider opting for an alcohol-free night's rest for optimal sleep quality and reap the benefits of longevity from good sleep. The benefits of alcohol-free sleep may also help to reduce snoring and decrease night sweats. 

No Alcohol Lessens Physical Health Risks and Chronic Conditions 

It should be obvious that medical conditions affect longevity so if drinking alcohol affects your physical health, that would in turn also affect longevity. We’ve heard that light drinking of red wine provides health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health. And while that may be true in some instances, heavy alcohol consumption is linked to numerous health risks, including liver disease, certain cancers, and overall mortality. The liver is the primary organ that processes alcohol when it’s consumed. 

Alcohol is a known carcinogen. The more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of developing certain types of cancers, including liver cancer, mouth and throat cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and more. According to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, “More than 20,000 people die from alcohol-related cancers each year in the United States.” 

And, if you already have preexisting medical conditions, drinking alcohol will make those issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and digestive problems get worse. Additionally, alcohol can weaken the immune system, leaving you unable to fight infections, viruses, and other common illnesses. 

Here's some positive information. The liver begins healing itself almost immediately after stopping alcohol consumption. Within weeks, the liver function significantly improves, thereby reducing inflammation and preventing cirrhosis of the liver. Consuming no alcohol also positively affects your cardiovascular system rather quickly, including a reduction in blood pressure. 

Abstaining From Alcohol Aids Weight Loss 

Alcohol is high in sugars and empty calories with no nutritional value. That’s why giving up drinking alcohol can help with weight loss. When you stop drinking alcohol, you instantly reduce calorie intake since alcoholic beverages can be high in calories. This calorie reduction is helpful for weight loss. 

Consider this: 

:: A 12 oz. regular beer contains 153 calories. 
:: A single glass of white wine contains between 120-150 calories. 
:: Cocktails contain up to 500 calories and even more. 

Alcohol also triggers food cravings, so eliminating alcohol may help you make better food choices. Alcohol drains energy levels and makes it harder for you to perform physical activity. Skip the alcohol to improve energy levels and achieve workout and weight loss goals. By quitting alcohol you will instantly improve metabolism, reduce cravings, and gain the benefits of improved energy – all necessary to reach and maintaining a healthy weight. 

Most importantly, without alcohol in your system, your body can metabolize food more efficiently. The liver can focus on its job to process nutrients and filter toxins without the interference of alcohol. 

Abstaining From Alcohol May Improve Mental Health and Decrease Cognitive Issues 

If drinking alcohol was linked to anxiety and depression, isn’t it worth not drinking alcohol to feel less anxious and depressed? While you think that drinking alcohol calms your nerves, it really doesn’t. Regular alcohol consumption can increase anxiety and instigate panic attacks. Alcohol is considered a depressant that can negatively affect your mood. Alcohol can alter brain chemistry which could intensify mental health issues.  

And while we’re on the mental health subject, alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of memory problems like dementia and other cognitive impairments. Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can help keep your mind sharp. The less alcohol consumed now means the lower the risk for cognitive issues later. 

Eliminate Alcohol To Help Mental Clarity and Focus 

The effects of alcohol on thinking is not just temporary but instead can affect mental clarity and focus long term. Consuming alcohol can lead to poorer judgment, diminished critical thinking, and increased memory problems. The simple solution is to avoid alcohol so the brain can better focus, think, and store information. 

Many people have experienced the feeling of being hung over … the headaches, lethargy, nausea, and general sick feelings that can remain for many hours. Consider the fact that excessive alcohol use can diminish white matter in the brain, the network of nerve fibers that transmit information throughout the brain. Sparing the brain from the effects of alcohol can benefit mental sharpness and longevity. 

Staying Away From Alcohol Helps Increase Energy Levels 

Alcohol use triggers lethargy and lack of energy, but that can quickly be reversed. Quitting alcohol offers the opportunity to gain a boost in energy that can help folks maintain consistent productivity throughout the day. The human body can run more efficiently as it no longer has to work harder to eliminate the alcohol’s toxins from the liver, kidney, and brain. Increased energy leads to more physical activity and overall well-being.   

Improved Relationships and Social Interactions 

Quality social connections through relationships are a key factor to longevity. So, social interactions negatively influenced by alcohol can hurt quality of life and length of life. By reducing or even eliminating  alcohol, people can improve relationships and eliminate the risk of damaging much-needed connections with family, friends, and work colleagues. 

People realize that facing social situations without alcohol creates opportunities for deeper connections. Genuine social interactions lead to lasting memories and stronger relationships. 

Bottom Line: Don’t Drink To Good Health And Long Life 

The data suggests to medical professionals that reducing and eliminating alcohol consumption, can help improve health, well-being, and longevity. 

When someone stops drinking alcohol, their liver immediately starts to heal and work more efficiently. Their blood pressure can improve. They’ll feel healthier and stronger as their immune system functions more optimally.  

As quality of sleep improves, people wake up feeling renewed and energized. Mood improves and mental clarity sharpens. Folks may even lose weight from not consuming empty calories. 

A more alcohol-free life can really help set people up for more happiness, good health, maybe even more wonderful years.