85 Things That Happen To Your Body If You Drop Just One Alcohol Drink Per Day
Thinking you want to cut back on alcohol—but not sure you really want to give up that extra glass of wine, beer, whisky, or White Claw?
I mean, I get it.
At the end of a long day, I need, want, deserve an extra glass of wine.
But when you limit alcohol—even just a little—some pretty dramatic things happen inside the body.
When I started to put this list together, it blew my mind.
It’s like this:
There aren’t too many little habits with such huge impact.
I mean, have one unit of alcohol less and you basically get 85 benefits?
You don’t even have to read this list—just skim it, and you’ll be wowed!
Weight Loss
Gram for gram, alcohol has basically the same calories as pure fat.
Here’s what will happen with one less glass of red wine per day. Your calorie intake will decrease by
- 125 calories less a day/ 875 calories less a week,
- 3,500 calories per month (that’s approximately one pound of body fat per month!),
- 182,000 calories less per year (that’s about 52 pounds a year of body fat from alcohol!).
- You get back about 405 hours(!!!) of your life spent trying to powerwalk off that fat. What would you do with all that time?
- Plus, did you know that alcohol messes with your appetite by repressing satiety cues? That means the more you drink, the more likely you are to overeat.
- If you eat a single extra Oreo cookie per day with your second glass of wine, you’ll have gained about 19,000 extra (empty) calories, or 5.5 pounds! If you eat two extra Oreos, that’s 11 pounds a year!
- And not only does alcohol repress satiety, it makes you WANT fatty food (thanks a lot, ghrelin).
- When you’re not buzzed, you’ll make better, healthier food choices. More nourishment (as opposed to empty the calories) will help you feel better overall.
- You’ll be less likely to eat your emotions if you cut back on alcohol, since alcohol turns will power into hog-slop.
- You won’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe in twelve months.
- In the mirror, you’ll see the reflection a person who takes care of themselves. And that’s sexy!
Reproductive System And Sex Life Improvements
- Less painful or uncomfortable periods.
- Increased libido.
- More comfortable sex.
- Bigger and better orgasms.
- Fewer problems climaxing.
- Less erectile dysfunction.
- More stamina.
- Better performance (clear-headed attunement, all the better to blow your partner’s…mind)
- Better outcomes for conception (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Here’s a Handy Visual Guide To Intimacy With Lots Of Alcohol And With Less
Digestive System Improvements
- Better hydration.
- More regularity, which means,
- Less painful constipation, which means,
- Fewer hemorrhoid issues,
- Flatter belly appearance,
- Less gas,
- Less heartburn or sour stomach.
- Better ability to get toxins and contaminants out of the body.
- Steadier blood sugar levels (less “crashing” after food).
- Better absorption of nutrients like vitamins B1 and B12, folic acid and zinc.
Physical Appearance
- Bouncier skin.
- Glowing skin.
- Decreased “alcohol flush” and jaundice.
- Whiter teeth (fewer wine stains).
- Less pronounced bags/puffiness/discoloration under the eyes.
- Whiter, gleaming eyes.
- Better hair growth.
- Less disheveled appearance: when you’re fighting a hangover in the morning, you’re more likely to take care with your clothes, hair, etc.
- More confidence.
Sleep Benefits And Improvements
- Longer, deeper sleep, means
- Better mood stability.
- More overall energy.
- Less time spent in mid-afternoon fatigue slump.
- Plus, fewer night sweats.
- Less insomnia.
- Less sleep apnea.
- Wake up feeling like you actually went to sleep and recharged your batteries.
- You won’t feel dehydrated when you wake up.
- No hangxiety.
- No hangover.
- You can wake up and focus on what you want to do next, instead of what you have to deal with next (headache, fatigue, foggy thinking, etc).
Emotional, Mental, And Spiritual Improvements Of Drinking Less Alcohol
- Less brain shrinkage.
- Alcohol is a depressant. It LITERALLY makes you feel depressed. Less alcohol = less depression.
- When your body is working better, you brain works better too.
- So everything that you have to use your brain for is a smoother, easier process.
- Better decision making.
- More attunement with yourself and others.
- Clearer mind, clearer heart, clearer connection your Truth.
- Deeper prayer and meditation.
- More patience for the people in your life who need it most.
- More patience and compassion for yourself.
- More nuanced thinking: no more black-and-white, hyperreactive worldview that inflames the conflict in your life.
- More positive outlook.
- More sense of agency in your life: whatever happens, you can handle it with a clear mind.
- If you have kids, they will appreciate mommy or daddy not being buzzed. Even young kids can sense when a parent or guardian is “acting different,” and that can be unnerving when you’re a young’un whose entire existence relies on the adults in charge. Kids will appreciate a more consistent, dependable, reliable parent.
- You’ll remember more. Not because you’re blacking out or something, because less alcohol means your brain is better at making and retaining memories.
- You can concentrate better on what you’re doing.
Money, Time, and Career
- Better performance at work, which could mean
- Better brain function = bonuses, raises, $ promotions.
- More money to spend on fun things. Let’s get specific. If you’re buying a $15 bottle of wine, you’re spending about $3 a glass (a small glass, mind you). One less glass of wine per day is $21 a month saved. That’s $84 a month. Or $4,368 per year! You could use that money to
- Go on an extra vacation.
- Donate to your favorite charity.
- Splurge on some designer fashion.
- Make extra mortgage payments. Say your mortgage is $2,500 a month. If you make two extra payments per year with a 5% interest rate on a 30-year-mortgage, you’ll save yourself about $180,000!
- You’ll also have: More clear-headed time to dedicate to what you actually love (family, hobbies). You could learn to play ukelele or speak French.
Aren't You Exaggerating The Benefits Of Drinking Just A Little Less?
The truth is, the benefits you’ll get from cutting back one unit of alcohol per day depends on how much you’re drinking to begin with.
The more you cut back, the better you’ll feel.
If you cut back one glass a month, you might feel a subtle difference in the elements I list above.
If you cut back one glass a day, you’ll feel a more significant difference.
Next Steps For Cutting Down On Alcohol Drinking
Feeling like you’re ready to cut down on your alcohol drinking, but worried you might not be able to?
First, let me tell you this: You totally CAN cut back. The process of reducing alcohol consumption might not be linear, and you might have your ups and downs, but you can do it. You can have all the benefits on this list that come from drinking less alcohol.
Funny thing: the more you cut back, the easier it is to keep cutting back more! (That’s because you’ll start feeling better and stronger as you go).
Some people may find that reducing alcohol intake is simply not possible–and if you’re in that category, please know it’s not your fault. Your brain is just doing what alcohol (and alcohol culture) want it to do. Instead of trying to moderate alcohol, you may need to cut back completely.
But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joy of indulgent drinking!
Every day, more and more alcohol alternatives are coming out–and I’ve made it my mission to make sense of them! I want to connect people to the alcohol-free drinks they’ll love.
To stay inspired in your journey with nonalcoholic beverage recipes, motivation, and even some giveaways, subscribe to my email list. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I’d love to share with you how doable it could be to cut back on alcohol without totally giving it up. Plus, you’ll also get my free mocktail recipe book.
Second, keep reading.
I recommend this This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life by Annie Grace. This book isn’t about limiting alcohol; it’s about quitting cold turkey. But it helped me get back to a normal relationship with alcohol. It’s the kick in the pants you need to get real about just how much you’re drinking and how you can cut down.
Third, keep trying new things. Experiment to see what works for you. Talk to others about your goals and ask for their support.
Wishing you all the best,
Lee
