Dry January Gains Popularity, Offers Health Benefits and Insights into Alcohol Use

Participation in the month-long abstention from alcohol can lead to health improvements and increased awareness of personal alcohol consumption habits.

• Dry January, a month-long abstention from alcohol, has been gaining popularity, with nearly half of adults 21 and older who drink alcohol reported being 'very likely' or 'somewhat likely' to participate.
• Participation in Dry January can lead to both short- and long-term health improvements, including better sleep, weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced blood pressure.
• Tracking alcohol consumption during Dry January can make people aware of excessive alcohol use and help them understand their relationship with alcohol.
• Dry January can also serve as a diagnostic tool for alcohol use disorder, a condition that affects nearly 29 million adults in the United States.
• Despite the health benefits of Dry January, maintaining these improvements requires continued moderation or abstinence from alcohol.

3 Articles

USA TODAY Washington Post Newsweek