Each year, millions of people take part in charitable endeavours or resolve to abstain from alcohol for a month at the beginning of the year.
Already, 2023 has seen a great number of people drink less across the year.
According to drinkaware, the percentage of those who drink less than once a week has increased to 39 per cent from 33 per cent in 2019.
Adults have reported drinking less alcohol at home. In 2023, only 18 per cent of people reported drinking alone at home at least once a week, down from 24 per cent in 2021.
Meanwhile, Statista reported that 15 per cent of females and 14 per cent of males participated in last year's dry January challenge.
Are you participating this year?
If you are, then continue reading to find out if it is good for you.
What is dry January?
Alcohol Change UK organises the "dry January" programme, in which participants abstain from alcohol for the entire month.
Similar events are organised by other charities, such as Cancer Research UK's Dryathlon.
Is dry January good for you?
It may aid weight loss and lower blood pressure.
Senior lecturer at UCL's Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Dr Gautam Mehta, suggests dry January does "lead to tangible health benefits by the end of the month".
Dr Mehta said: "Our study saw a weight loss of around 2kg, a decrease in blood pressure of around five per cent, and improvement in diabetes risk of almost 30 per cent.
"We also noted large decreases in blood-growth factors that are linked to certain cancers. However, we don’t know how long these benefits last, or whether they translate to long-term improvements in health.”
While it may have short-term benefits, professor of biological psychology at the University of Bristol, Marcus Munafò, suggests aiming to cut back across the whole year.
The professor told BBC Good Food, “it’s worth bearing in mind that to have a real benefit on health, people should be drinking within recommended low-risk guidelines across the whole year.
"Dry January might be a helpful way to re-establish control over your drinking, and could have some short-term benefits (a lot of people report sleeping better, for example), but it’s unlikely to have major long-term health benefits in itself."
Who shouldn't do dry January?
Experts unanimously agree that before committing to dry January, those who are physically or psychologically dependent on alcohol should consult a healthcare provider. This is due to the possibility of severe withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly quit drinking.
