0
0
Every year during Lent, many people choose to give something up—meat, sweets, or increasingly, alcohol. While the tradition has religious roots, the practice of abstaining from alcohol for several weeks has gained broad cultural traction. And for good reason: medical experts agree that taking a break from drinking can have profound benefits for both physical and mental health. When it comes to alcohol, the rule of thumb is simple: the less, the better.
A Culture of Casual Drinking
In Austria, alcohol is woven into daily life. A glass of sparkling wine to celebrate, a beer after work, a small glass of wine with dinner—these habits add up. The numbers tell the story: adults over 16 consume nearly twelve liters of pure alcohol per year on average, equivalent to almost 500 bottles of beer.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that around two million Austrians use Lent as an opportunity to rethink their drinking habits. According to a 2025 survey by the University of Linz, alcohol tops the list of things people choose to give up—above sweets or meat. The motivation isn’t only financial. From a medical perspective, a few weeks of abstinence can be a powerful reset.
No Amount of Alcohol Is “Healthy”
For decades, the idea persisted that moderate drinking—especially red wine—could be good for the heart. But modern research paints a different picture. “There is no safe amount of alcohol and no health-promoting dose,” says Peter Willeit, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Medical University of Innsbruck. The once-popular recommendation of a daily glass of wine has long been abandoned.
The science is clear: the more alcohol consumed, the higher the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep disturbances, and depression. Willeit emphasizes that reducing daily or weekly intake is beneficial at any level.
How Much Is Too Much?
Willeit co-authored a large-scale study analyzing data from 600,000 adults. The findings were striking: people who drink the equivalent of two large beers or two quarter-liters of wine every day live, on average, four to five years less.
For those who don’t want to abstain completely, staying below 100 grams of pure alcohol per week—roughly four large beers or one bottle of wine—significantly reduces additional health risks.
Dry January, Lent, and the Power of a Reset
Temporary abstinence initiatives like “Dry January” have become popular secular counterparts to Lent. A study from the University of Sussex followed 800 participants who gave up alcohol for four weeks. The results were encouraging: after the month-long break, people drank on fewer days per week—dropping from four to three—and consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
This suggests that short-term abstinence can have long-term behavioral effects. It’s not just a pause; it’s a recalibration.
Short-Term Gains You Can Feel
Even a few alcohol-free weeks can bring noticeable improvements:
- Better sleep: Without alcohol disrupting sleep cycles, people often wake up more rested.
- Improved concentration and mood: Higher-quality sleep boosts cognitive function and emotional stability.
- Healthier metabolism: Abstinence can lead to weight loss and improved liver function.
- Stronger immune system: After several weeks, immune responses stabilize, reducing susceptibility to seasonal infections.
- A sense of achievement: Many people report feeling mentally stronger after successfully completing a period of abstinence.
These immediate benefits often reinforce healthier habits long after the fasting period ends.
Long-Term Benefits That Add Up
Reducing alcohol consumption over the long term can lower blood pressure, support weight management, and improve sleep—factors that collectively reduce the risk of stroke and heart failure. Willeit notes that many alcohol-related effects are reversible, at least partially, making it worthwhile to cut back at any stage of life.
A Small Pause With Big Impact
Whether motivated by tradition, health concerns, or simple curiosity, taking a break from alcohol can be transformative. The body recovers, the mind clears, and many people discover they simply feel better. And perhaps most importantly, the experience often reshapes drinking habits for the rest of the year.
If alcohol fasting proves anything, it’s that even temporary abstinence can spark lasting change.
- source: orf.at/picture: pixabay.com
This post has already been read 342 times!
