New research from University College London has found that giving up alcohol for even a month can have significant health benefits.
The study examined men and women in their 40s who had been drinking an average of 29 units of alcohol a week, and recorded a number of different advantages to their giving up alcohol during a so called "Dry January" campaign.
Weight loss, improved quality of sleep as well as an ability to concentrate better were all among the benefits noted by the participants, while tests shows that the "liver stiffness" of those in the study (an indication of the scarring or damage done to the organ) had reduced by 12.5 %. Furthermore, their insulin resistance was also down an impressive 28%, significantly decreasing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Co-author of the study, Professor Kevin Moore, highlighted just how important the findings were when speaking to the Press Association, saying "if you took a drug that reduced blood pressure and improved cholesterol and insulin resistance it would be a blockbuster drug that would be worth billions".
He also added that more work should be done to promote the benefits of abstinence, giving the findings.
Gautam Mehta, a liver specialist who oversaw the study, noted that while he was "excited" by the findings, "what we can't say is how long those benefits are, how durable those benefits are".
Speaking on The Right Hook on Monday with Dr. Ciara Kelly, Paddy Cullivan discussed why he gave up booze and covered the findings of the study.
