Alcohol consumption is a cultural trait within the United Kingdom. However, 18% of people choose to abstain from drinking it, with the age category who resists alcohol the most being 18–24-year-olds. Some do so for religious purposes, others for personal reasons, but universally there are many health benefits to going NoLo.
Whether you choose low-alcohol alternatives or stick to non-alcoholic drinks, reducing your alcohol intake can benefit the body and mind in many ways.
Here, we will explore both the short- and long-term benefits of reducing alcohol intake and how, as a business, you can promote a healthier lifestyle to your employees.
Short-term benefits
Lose weight
Alcohol is higher in calories than many realise, adding those extra pounds with every gulp. By reducing your alcohol intake, you can better monitor the calories you are consuming. Low- and non-alcohol alternatives are healthier and lighter.
Reducing your alcohol intake helps you to remain healthier in other areas of your life. By choosing low or no-alcohol options, diet planning can be followed easier without needing heavy foods to cure your hangover.
Better skin
Alcohol is detrimental to the appearance of your skin as it is a diuretic. This means that it actively pulls moisture from your skin. Not only will your skin suffer from dryness and dullness, but it will also lack the proper nutrients and vitamins it needs to repair and maintain itself effectively.
High alcohol intake can increase the likelihood or worsen the symptoms of underlying conditions such as rosacea. Nine out of ten people with rosacea claimed that reducing their alcohol intake helped reduce their symptoms.
By cutting down on alcohol, your skin will be fuller, softer, and less prone to problems.
Higher energy levels
Alcohol can deeply affect the quality of sleep, and as such, removing alcohol from your diet can improve your energy levels dramatically. By disrupting your Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep stage, drinking alcohol can leave you feeling sluggish and unrested, no matter the amount of sleep you have.
Not only is your energy affected by sleep, but also the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body can absorb. And as your skin is not receiving the moisture it needs, you are not getting the necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain balance within your body. Reduced levels of vitamins, such as vitamin B, can reduce your energy.
Long-term benefits
Reduced risk of cancer
Drinking alcohol is linked to several kinds of cancer, from mouth to bowel.
When your body breaks down the alcohol you consume, it produces harmful chemicals. And this is the case for all alcohols, it doesn’t matter which you decide to consume, all have a negative impact on your body. This, in turn, affects the chemical signals which are significant in the multiplication of your cells, meaning cancer is more likely to form.
Alcohol not only damages your cells, but it also can change your hormones, leading to an increased risk of cancer – with breast and bowel being the two most common cancers due to alcohol consumption.
Improve other health conditions
Choosing low or no alcohol alternatives can help improve health in all areas of your life. Both body and mind are affected when you drink, and by cutting out the alcohol, you can improve both.
Your mental health can significantly improve with reduced alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking can lead to increased levels of stress and depression.
By cutting out alcohol, you can also reduce your fatty liver build-up, blood pressure levels, and indigestion. You can also reduce your risk of stroke, gut problems, and sexual dysfunction.
How businesses can get involved
Businesses should take a particular interest in the alcohol consumption of their employees as it can negatively impact both their physical and mental well-being. By promoting health-conscious options, businesses can aid their employees in maintaining a healthier lifestyle and improving their overall condition.
Investing in complimentary drink alternatives can increase the likelihood of employees choosing low or non-alcoholic options. Consider using a slushy machine for office celebrations, such as the Christmas party, alongside a variety of flavours to replace alcohol alternatives. Or offer a complimentary iced coffee machine in meetings to encourage workers to incorporate softer drinks into their diet.
Running drink-awareness and stress management courses can significantly improve your workers’ productivity and well-being. By investing in the health and success of your employees, you can foster an environment of openness which allows issues to be overseen without fear and discrimination.
Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on your employees’ memories and physical and mental well-being. By understanding the impact that alcohol has on the body and mind, and by promoting healthier life choices, you can improve not only your work environment but the lives of your employees. Having an open and honest discussion as well as offering alternatives during office parties and celebrations can not only benefit those who already abstain from drinking, but also encourage reducing alcohol consumption across your workforce.