WHAT HAPPENS WHEN

...you quit drinking booze

01 (RE) BALANCING ACT

It’s no secret that too many spicy margs can leave you feeling wobbly. Alcohol affects your neurotransmitters, such as GABA, which is what causes your morning-after fear. Your brain and body don’t bounce back as soon as the hangover eases, either. ‘It can take up to 72 hours before you’re back to normal, mentally and physically, after a heavy session,’ explains Dr Ross Perry, founder and medical director of cosmedics.co.uk. ‘Cutting back will help rebalance your mental health and your sleep will improve – allowing you to think more clearly.’ Fresh.

02 FEELING FLUSH

Calling time on boozing is a winner from your organs’ POV. ‘After four weeks sober, liver fat reduces by up to 15%, increasing its ability to flush out toxins,’ says Dr Perry. ‘And after several months, liver cells can return to normal.’ Alcohol also restricts your body’s release of the hormone vasopressin, which leads to dehydration, as the kidneys release more water than normal. But this, too, can be reversed. ‘Once you stop drinking, you’ll see a noticeable difference in your energy levels. Dark circles will lessen under the eye area and the dull headaches should also go,’ says Perry. A win-win-win.

03 MIND OUT

It’s a myth that a heavy night out ‘kills’ your brain cells (phew) – but it does negatively impact them in the long-term. ‘Too much alcohol can interfere with neurogenesis, which is your body’s ability to make new brain cells,’ explains Dr Perry. ‘Even moderate drinking can lead to shrinking in the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory and reasoning.’ But this doesn’t have to be permanent – brain atrophy begins to reverse after a few weeks sans sauce.

04 MENU MIX-UP

Just as with any other macronutrient (yep, it’s technically its own category), an excess of alcohol will be stored as fat. Cut out five glasses of wine a week and you spare yourself roughly 1,100 calories. You’ll notice a change in your food choices, too: ‘When you’ve been drinking alcohol regularly, an increase in ghrelin – the hormone that makes you feel hungry – often leads to bingeing on less nutritious foods,’ says Dr Perry. Less booze, less bloat, essentially.

05 PERFORMANCE REVIEW

‘You need to be well hydrated when you exercise to maintain blood flow, which is essential for carrying oxygen and nutrients to your muscles,’ says Dr Perry. Booze leaves you dehydrated, and your liver too busy battling toxins to efficiently clear the build-up of lactic acid, increasing the likelihood of cramps. Ditch the double G&TS and your strength and endurance will thank you. As a bonus? Nonalcoholic beer is proven to be an effective recovery drink. 0.0% Heineken post-parkrun, it is.