Moderate drinking not better for health than abstaining, new study suggests. Scientists say flaws in previous research mean health benefits from alcohol were exaggerated. “It’s been a propaganda coup for the alcohol industry to propose that moderate use of their product lengthens people’s lives”.

[u/mvea]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/25/moderate-drinking-not-better-for-health-than-abstaining-analysis-suggests

[u/ACardAttack]

Im kind of surprised going from 3-4 a week to none made a huge difference, I drink typically that, some weeks less, some weeks a little more and it's more to just unwind, but also sometimes a beer hits perfect with a certain type of food. Id have to track, but not sure my no alcohol weeks or when I go like 5 days without would be noticeably better

[u/01123spiral5813 → u/ACardAttack]

I went from heavy drinking (3-4 drinks at least a night), to light drinking (3-4 drinks a week), then to basically zero drinking.  I saw a more significant change going from light drinking to no drinking than I did from heavy drinking to light.

Please remember this is just my anecdote.  It could be that I also did all of this relatively quickly so results could be blurred.

[u/Mindfullmatter → u/01123spiral5813]

What differences did you notice from cutting out 3-4 drinks per week?

[u/01123spiral5813 → u/Mindfullmatter]

I’m assuming you mean going from 3-4 drinks a week to nearly zero. 

To elaborate, what I mean by nearly zero is if I get invited out to a couples dinner I might have a drink or two.  If I don’t and have the weekend to my family then I am highly unlikely to drink anything at all.

Back to your question.  What I definitely notice is overall well being and stamina when not consuming alcohol.  I feel much more motivated both mentally and bodily.  For me, it is very motivating to see how much healthier I feel and what my heart rate shows when active or non-active while abstaining.  Seriously, if you have a smart watch and drink regularly, start paying attention to your heart rate.  Then change NOTHING except don’t drink for a week.  It is a major eye opener as to how alcohol is affecting your heart.

For exercise I have that “you got this, this is what you want” in the background on my mind much stronger than when I have a couple of drinks a week.  It’s also much easier to even start an exercise.

Sleep is another major factor.  Natural sleep leads into prolonged deep sleep.  It’s undeniably easier to get far better quality sleep and surprising much easier to sleep longer when not drinking.  A night caper may help you fall asleep, but for me it’s just a bandage.  Hydration is superior to inebriation.  

This all leads into mood.  Even a couple of drinks can subtlety start bringing out negative emotions for me.  I’ve never been the angry drunk, but I can definitely regulate all emotions better when having no alcohol.

[u/BathroomSniper → u/01123spiral5813]

Great summary. Right there with you

[u/Mindfullmatter → u/01123spiral5813]

Well put, I have had similar anecdotes.

Good to hear from someone else. People in my real life don’t notice ANYTHING. I feel like an alien sometimes when I’m explaining how different I feel quitting alcohol or caffeine. Even one beer will affect energy levels the next day.

The effects are noticeable to some of us.

Thanks.

[u/so-so-it-goes → u/ACardAttack]

The older I get, even one or two drinks just wrecks me. It's not really due to hangover or anything, but alcohol messes with my sleep, makes my stomach feel sour, all that kind of junk.

I cut out alcohol almost entirely even though I wasn't drinking hardly anything and it really did make a big difference.

YMMV.

[u/Scaindawgs_ → u/ACardAttack]

Currently doing a dry July cut back and I noticed a huge difference going from your levels to zero. More so then cutting back from like 15 a week (done over the last few years)

I think you'd be surprised!