Do you ever wonder how your life might improve if you stopped drinking, even for a little while? From better sleep to clearer thinking and enhanced emotional well-being, the benefits might surprise you!Today, Jenn dives into the thought-provoking idea of being Dry Beyond January. The positive changes that can come from reducing or being alcohol-free and how this choice aligns with creating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle may surprise you. This is part one of a two-part series exploring the impact of alcohol on our health and well-being. Jenn breaks down the physical, emotional, and social benefits of cutting back or quitting alcohol entirely and shares strategies to make the process approachable and sustainable. Whether you’re considering a dry month or a long-term change, this episode will help you take the first step with confidence. The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, discussing wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. IN THIS EPISODE: [4:43] Moderate drinking versus heavy drinking and how each impacts us[9:29] Alcohol’s impact on mood, brain chemistry and sleep deprivation[12:41] Other associated risks and our brain's ability to build pathways[14:28] Stress-related drinking[17:48] Short-term benefits of being alcohol-free and withdrawal symptoms[24:33] Long-term benefits of not drinking alcohol[30:09] Alcohol depletes electrolytes and dehydrates us, creating physical signs of aging[33:05] Discussion of how much money Americans spend each year on alcoholKEY TAKEAWAYS: Alcohol significantly affects the liver, brain, and sleep patterns. The liver prioritizes processing alcohol over other toxins, leading to delayed toxin removal and issues like inflammation. Alcohol also suppresses REM sleep and causes sleep disruptions like overheating, which can have cascading effects on mood, energy, and overall health.Alcohol triggers dopamine release, creating a memory of the triggers leading up to drinking. This reinforces habits, making the brain associate stress or other cues with seeking alcohol, which can perpetuate a cycle of dependency.The short—and long-term health benefits of being alcohol-free are significant and varied. Eliminating alcohol can lead to immediate improvements, such as better sleep, clearer skin, weight loss, improved digestion, and mental clarity. In the long term, it reduces the risk of liver disease, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers while enhancing cognitive function and life expectancy.Alcohol depletes electrolytes, causes dehydration, and overburdens organs like the liver and kidneys. However, the liver can regenerate and recover, often within weeks to months, depending on the extent of the damage.RESOURCES:Become A Member of Salad with a Side of FriesJenn’s Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With A Side Of Fries MerchA Salad With a Side of Fries InstagramThe Truth About AlcoholQUOTES: [6:35] “The liver is not a multitasker. It prioritizes the alcohol out of our system, which pushes down the priority list other toxins and things like sugar and fats.” - Jenn Trepeck[12:41] “Alcohol activates GABA receptors in the brain, which slows down neuron communication. We feel relaxed, but really, the brain has just slowed down.” - Jenn Trepeck[14:01] “Drinking creates dopamine. With dopamine, there's a memory of the experience encoded in the brain. What's encoded in the brain is also what led you to the alcohol that triggers it. So whether that's the emotion that led you there, the stressful situation, the part that's encoded, is that trigger.” - Jenn Trepeck[26:56] “When we reduce the inflammation, because the alcohol caused the inflammation, we see a decreased risk factor of virtually every sickness, illness, disease, or symptom. - Jenn Trepeck[35:54] “When there's the presence of alcohol, there is greater conflict.” - Jenn Trepeck