Your Health: What Should You Give Up?

What happens to your body when you make changes? Here’s how they affect your wellbeing, and which ones are worth it

- Tanya Pearey

Going without... alcohol

Benefits depend on how much you’re drinking, but include weight loss, and improved energy, sleep, memory and moods. Plus healthier liver, kidney and digestive function too.

‘Alcohol irritates the digestive system,’ says Elaine Hindal, from charity Drinkaware. ‘It makes your stomach produce more acid than usual, which can cause inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) and indigestion.’ Too much alcohol can increase feelings of anxiety and depression.

‘Alcohol is a diuretic,’ says Professor Oliver James, Head of Clinical Medical Sciences at Newcastle University. ‘It acts on kidneys to make you pee out much more than you take in.’

It also reduces the hormone vasopressin, which prompts the kidneys to reabsorb water. Research shows that just 1% dehydration has an adverse effect on mood, attention, memory and motor coordination. However, contradictory published data leaves it still unclear whether very moderate drinking (and in particular, red wine intake) is definitely bad – or even mildly beneficial – for your overall health.

WORTH IT?

Possibly. Although if you don’t overdo it, a weekly glass or two may bring psychological benefits. Stick below-recommended limits and follow the drink-safer guidelines. If you regularly drink above the recommendations, seek medical support to quit.

Going without... enough sleep