Anyone giving up alcohol for January>

[catherinecherub]

There are health benefits to be had if you decide to abstain for a month. This was a small experiment carried out and the benefits were

* Liver fat reduced
* Blood glucose levels dropped.
* Better sleep patterns
* Lowered cholesterol
* Weight loss

http://www.newscientist.com/article...dry-january-really-worth-it.html#.UsakOCgx-FI

Obviously anecdotal because of the small scale study but worth trying if you have the willpower.

 

[viviennem]

Hi, CC

Yes, I'm giving up - as soon as I've finished the 5 bottles of red I've got left!

I cut down a lot in the 3 months before Christmas and felt much better for it. I slept better and felt more alert. Didn't lose any weight, though, because I was craving dark chocolate, which I believe contains the same bioflavonoids (?) or something. Also saved quite a bit of money.

Sorry about the typing - I've just got an aural migraine (no headache, just a sparkly ring centred in my left eye) - another thing I associate with too much alcohol, possibly because of dehydration.

Viv

 

[douglas99]

I've a few bottles of Coors Lite left, so after that, I think I'll abstain from buying any more.
Not to say my wife won't, so I doubt I'll manage to give up entirely, but I'll certainly be trying!

Interesting on bs levels, mine have crept up a bit over Xmas, the only real difference was a bit more dry/red wine and spirits, so I reckon they do push my bs up, despite being carb free.

 

[mo1905]

Can't promise to quit but certainly cutting down by a lot. Hopefully this will help me lose a bit of timber as I'm pretty sure it's the beer !

 

[noblehead]

All interesting findings Catherine. I only have a drink on a weekend so don't feel the need to abstain for a month, everything in moderation as we always say....

 

[collectingrocks]

Sorry, no way am I giving up....! I don't drink much but red wine and whiskey are my only real pleasures so I ain't giving them up lol

 

[xyzzy]

Give up the G&T CC you must be kidding. Happy New Year btw. Still banging on about it

 

[carty]

When I went to the dietician to try to help me put weight on she said a little alcohol may help so I aint giving up my red wine and dark choc at weekends for any month
Missed you Xyzzy
CAROL

 

[Father Jack]

When I was diagnosed type 2 back in July the bloods also indicated elevated liver hormones later found to be due to fatty liver. Since then I have cut down on alchol drastically and I will totally abstain for weeks at a time. I have lost 4.5stone in weight (also dieting and taking Metfoemin) and a recent liver function test was declared "normal". I will find out the effect on my BS in a fortnight when I visit the diabetes nurse. Certainly go steady on the booze (moderation in all things). My apperance has also improved from my avatar.
Cheers
Jack

 

[tonyS54]

Absolutely not, I don't drink to excess so will carry on as usual

 

[douglas99]

None of the subjects in the new scientist article seems to drink to excess.
One of the main things my dietician hates is alcohol.

And
"The blood glucose levels of the abstainers dropped by 23 per cent on average, from 5.1 to 4.3 millimoles per litre. The normal range for blood glucose is between 3.9 and 5.6 mmol/l. "

Seems to be fairly significant to us.
Imagine what that would do ifyou gave up the carbs as well. Figures to dream of.

 

[Alanp35]

I gave up,alcohol 4 years ago and feel much better for it. No weight loss, sad to say, but that is down to other drug therapy I am on. Alcohol is a drug as is nicotine and for each of us to manage for ourselves.

 

[carraway]

Passing my driving test 20+ years ago was the end of my alcohol drinking days
And getting married...the end of a social life.

 

[xyzzy]

When I went to the dietician to try to help me put weight on she said a little alcohol may help so I aint giving up my red wine and dark choc at weekends for any month
Missed you Xyzzy
CAROL

Aw blushing now CAROL xx

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[QuirkyBit86]

I'm trying to give up alcohol now. Christmas / New Year has highlighted how much it messes with my BS levels and depression. I tried a few nights sober and still had a good time, and didn't have the stress of having to deal with spiking bloodsugars after...and no hangover.

 

[hale710]

Yup both me and my partner have given it up for January, and have agreed that from February onwards we will restrict our drinking to weekends.

New Years resolution is also to restrict fizzy juice to weekends also. Stick to water and diluting during the week.

Interested to see if I find any benefits!


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[smidge]

One of the main things my dietician hates is alcohol.

Just as well I have no intention of sharing a glass of wine with a dietician then LOL.

Seriously, alcohol does make my BG unpredictable. Not giving it up though!

Smidge

 

[Beachbag]

If I drank regularly I'd consider taking time out but I only had two glasses of wine and two malts during the Christmas/ New Year period, none of which made any difference to my BGs. Alcohol has never been a problem for me but food has!

 

[desidiabulum]

Well I just gave up alcohol and rich food for the Christmas and New Year period. I'd love to say that this showed my phenomenal will-power, but it was involuntary - my stomach gave me no choice. Sad to say, my BG levels did drop very nicely -- ****! But I shall be back on wine again shortly -- one has to compensate for other restrictions on diet somehow.