Lifestyle

The Many Gains Of Alcohol Abstinence In One Month

Published

6 years ago

January 7, 2019

British researchers have found that one’s health stands to reap numerous benefits by abstaining from alcohol for just one month, since drinking regularly is a major risk factor for cancer, liver and cardiovascular diseases, among other issues.

The study by researchers from the University of Sussex in Falmer, UK, shows just how much skipping alcohol for one month can improve your life and concludes that these benefits are long-lasting.

*93 percent of participants reported experiencing a sense of achievement at the end of the alcohol-free month
*88 percent had saved the money that they would otherwise have spent on drinks
*82 percent of participants reported an enhanced awareness of their relationship with alcohol
*80 percent felt more in control of their drinking habits
*76 percent understood when they felt more tempted to drink and why
*71 percent of participants learned that they did not need alcohol to have fun
*71 percent said that they enjoyed a better quality of sleep
*70 percent reported better overall health
*67 percent had higher energy levels
*58 percent of participants lost weight
*57 percent reported improved concentration
*54 percent said that they noticed better skin health

In the UK, a charity organisation Alcohol Change United Kingdom, encourages people to try giving up alcohol for one month at the start of the year. Thousands of people around the world pledge to take part in this campaign, called Dry January, each year. You too can sign on, if you love alcohol.

The research, which Dr. Richard de Visser from the University of Sussex led, found that people who took part in Dry January in 2018 reported higher energy levels and healthier body weight. They also felt less need to drink alcohol, even several months after participating in this initiative.

Dr. de Visser and team analyzed data that they collected from Dry January participants in three online surveys. A total of 2,821 people filled in a survey upon registering for the campaign at the beginning of January. In the first week of February, 1,715 participants completed a survey, and 816 participants submitted additional data in August 2018.

The researchers found that giving up alcohol for a month helped the participants reduce their number of drinking days later in the year. The number decreased from an average of 4.3 days per week before taking part in Dry January to an average of 3.3 days per week afterward.

Moreover, people who went teetotal for a month also got drunk a lot less frequently later on in the year. Rates of excessive drinking fell from an average of 3.4 times per month at baseline to 2.1 times per month on average.

In fact, Dry January participants also learned to drink less. They went from consuming an average of 8.6 units of alcohol per drinking day at baseline to 7.1 units of alcohol per drinking day later on.

“The simple act of taking a month off alcohol helps people drink less in the long term; by August, people are reporting one extra dry day per week,” notes Dr. de Visser.

“There are also considerable immediate benefits: nine in 10 people save money, seven in 10 sleep better, and three in five lose weight,” he adds.

Important benefits, however, are also available to those who give up alcohol for shorter periods. An alcohol-free month would be better, but even less than that can still boost a person’s health, Dr. de Visser says.

“Interestingly, these changes in alcohol consumption have also been seen in the participants who didn’t manage to stay alcohol-free for the whole month — although they are a bit smaller. This shows that there are real benefits to just trying to complete Dry January,” the researcher emphasizes.

“The brilliant thing about Dry January is that it’s not really about January. Being alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don’t need alcohol to have fun, to relax, to socialize,” says Dr. Richard Piper, the CEO of Alcohol Change UK.

“That means that for the rest of the year, we are better able to make decisions about our drinking and to avoid slipping into drinking more than we really want to,” Dr. Piper notes.

“Many of us know about the health risks of alcohol — seven forms of cancer, liver disease, mental health problems — but we are often unaware that drinking less has more immediate benefits too. Sleeping better, feeling more energetic, saving money, better skin, losing weight… The list goes on.”

“So, be it this January or later in the year, you may want to try swapping alcohol for tea, juice, or water for a month or even a few weeks. It could make you happier and healthier, and your bank account will thank you too”, said Piper.

Lifestyle

On 92nd Birthday, Soludo celebrates Cardinal Francis Arinze

Published

4 days ago

November 3, 2024

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On 92nd Birthday, Soludo celebrates Cardinal Francis Arinze

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Lifestyle

NADECO frontline member becomes Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom

Published

1 week ago

October 29, 2024

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NADECO frontline member becomes Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

A frontline member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), United Kingdom Chapter, Chief Michael Kolawole Ogunseye has been installed as Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom, a ceremony held at the palace of Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Oke-Ago-Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

Ogunseye who flew in from United Kingdom with his wife Chief (Mrs) Toyin Ogunseye for the installation who was also installed as Yeye Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom were accompanied by family, friends and other well-wishers.

The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola accompanied by his two Oloris and notable Owu Chiefs presented the duo with their certificates amidst loud ovation and fanfare which rented the palace.

Ogunseye on receipt of certificate expressed joy on the installation and assured the monarch about his readiness and genuine determination in contributing positively to development of the entire Owu community

The train of the celebrants later moved to Abeokuta Sports Club located along Presidential Boulevard, beside Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where guests were equally entertained, winning and dining, with two notable musicians-Busola and Her Glorious band and Ogodo Egbega on band stand.

The royal fathers of the reception Oba Reuben Sogaolu of Orile-Imo and Oba Adedayo Okubena (Eleruwon of Eruwon) in their separate remarks pointed out that the installation of the Ogunseyes was a call to service.

The traditional rulers commended Ogunseye for his known philanthropic gestures, adding that they were glad to be part of the epoch ceremony and encouraged the couple on need to contribute their quota to developmental growth of the community

The Baagbimo of Owu Kingdom is from the Abuye family compound, Totoro, Owu, Abeokuta, and he is the son of late Madam Janet Ibiyemi Ashabi Ogunseye, and the Asiwaju of Gbagura Christians, as well as Akinlagun of Egba Christians.

The new High Chief was ordained Evangelist in 1998 by Baptist Church Evangelical Mission in United Kingdom and was a Warranty Manager and BP Oil and Gas as Offshore Accountant in the United Kingdom

He was a member of June 12 Alliance in the United Kingdom during the struggle for democracy in Nigeria, while in 1990 formed a human rights group called Justice for Nigeria, the group assisted many Nigerians that seek political asylum in the United Kingdom against the military rule junta.

The Owu chief who has received local and international awards for his humanitarian works in Africa, is a member of Labour Party in United Kingdom, and recently received Phd in leadership from Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative in 2024, while he is currently Chairman of Solace Drugs Abuse and Mental Health Advocacy Group under Oba Saka Matemilola Foundation

Meanwhile, notable personalities at the occasion include Prof Olusesi Obateye International Coordinator of Priesthood Leadership Development Initiative incorporated, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji(Founder Penpushing Media), Alhaji Salau(retired Permanent Secretary), Yemi Oke (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), Seyi Oladimeji(Director Ogun State Ministry of Information) and Chief Festus Kehinde(Former General Manager, Ogun State Television), as well as members of Abeokuta Sports Club among others

Lifestyle

PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES OLORI ONIKEPO OLUFUNMIKE AKANDE ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

Published

1 week ago

October 28, 2024

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES OLORI ONIKEPO OLUFUNMIKE AKANDE ON HER 80TH BIRTHDAY

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Olori Onikepo Olufunmike Akande, OON, CON, as she joyfully marks her 80th birthday on 29 October.

A true pioneer, Onikepo Akande holds the honour of being Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry and the second female President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

In celebrating her, President Tinubu highlights Olori Akande’s trailblazing record and her contributions to Nigeria’s public and private sectors.

Affectionately known as Nike, she is revered not only as an exceptional leader but also as the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland, a devoted wife to Oba Adebayo Akande, the Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, a proud mother, and beloved grandmother.

In the early 1990s, she served as a director of the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON) and the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), now known as the Bank of Industry. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja from 1992 to 1994.

President Tinubu commends her exceptional service as a boardroom player, public administrator, community leader, philanthropist, and business executive.

President Tinubu also praises Nike Akande for her tenure as Minister of Industry, acknowledging her dedication and commitment to driving progress in the nation.

Her remarkable career, bolstered by her Harvard education and expertise in investment, has earned her numerous national and international accolades, particularly in empowering women in commerce and entrepreneurship.

The President expresses deep gratitude to Nike Akande for her unwavering commitment to mentoring and uplifting others, asserting she is a role model to countless women across Nigeria.

He honours the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadanland as a symbol of beauty, diligence, courage, affection, and kindness. President Tinubu also notes her exemplary role as a supportive wife to a respected traditional ruler and as a mother whose children have achieved great success.

The President prays to God Almighty to bless Nike Akande with continued health and longevity, allowing her to share her inspiring life story and encourage others to embrace optimism and resilience.