Do this one thing for a healthy liver

The holidays have come and gone, and you probably ate way too much food and drank way too much alcohol. January is a time for detox and renewal, especially for your liver, so you may find a recent health trend particularly helpful for transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. Known as Dry January, it involves going without alcohol for 30 days.

While we are already halfway through the month, it’s not too late to get this going. Who knows, maybe you’ll actually keep it up and improve your liver health.

How Dry January is keeping your liver healthy

Many experts believe that going one month without alcohol can have great health benefits as long as you approach this initiative properly. Embarking on a 30-day “no alcohol” cleanse can be a stepping stone towards embracing healthier habits and drinking less.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and even high cholesterol – aside from the fact that alcohol takes a toll on your liver as it’s difficult to break down. Furthermore, excessive drinking disrupts your sleep and has been linked to a higher risk of certain diseases.

Frank Lipman, the founder of Be Well, explained how your liver can benefit from Dry January initiative, “The liver is the largest internal organ we’ve got, but few of us pay it any mind until we’ve got a serious health problem. While we’re busy ignoring our liver, it’s busy managing hundreds of bodily functions, including supporting metabolism, controlling blood sugar, and regulating fat storage.”

In addition to avoiding alcohol, Lipman recommends stocking up on nutrient-dense foods such as lean proteins, plant-based foods, and good fats to show your liver even more love.
Need another sample to join Dry January initiative? It can kick-start your weight loss (one of your New Year’s resolutions?). Perhaps, after seeing such great results, you may be more inclined to stick with a healthier lifestyle. You may also experience other benefits like greater energy, less bloating, improved sleep, and better digestion. With all these benefits at stake, why wouldn’t you want to give Dry January a try?

It’s not to say that you have to give up alcohol or some of your favorite foods forever, but by implementing healthier options into your life for a month, there is a higher chance that you’ll stick with them in the long run.

All in all, Dry January initiative can serve as a motivation to kick-start your year in good health – and show your overworked liver some love, too.