If (like me) you appear to have missed Sober October, it might be worth planning a few dry weekends in November before the Christmas party bus fires up its engine.
New research shows that abstaining completely for just four weeks can result in a long list of very real health benefits.
In fact, keeping that Rioja safely corked until December could lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, heal your liver, boost your concentration and help you lose a few pounds without even really trying.
So how do 'they' know this? Well. A team from University College London carefully monitored a group of 100 people who signed up for a 'Dry January' challenge.
After four weeks, tests showed the participants’ ‘liver stiffness’ – a rather scary sounding indication of liver damage caused by alcohol use – had plummeted by 12.5 per cent, while their diabetes risk dropped by 28per cent.
Participants also reported losing up to 6lbs in weight and said they found it easier to concentrate at work and slept better at night. Speaking about the research, co-author Professor Kevin Moore, said:
"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."
Might be worth swapping that vino for a decaf cuppa tonight...
