CAN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION BE REDUCED through physical activity? Three recently published papers reporting findings from a recent randomized clinical trial suggest the answer is yes. Today we look at exercise and alcohol consumption.
“There’s a phrase, “the elephant in the living room,” which purports to describe what it’s like to live with a drug addict, an alcoholic, an abuser. People outside such relationships will sometimes ask, “How could you let such a business go on for many years? Didn’t you see the elephant in the living room?”
And it’s so hard for anyone living in a more normal situation to understand the answer that comes closest to the truth; “I’m sorry, but it was there when I moved in. I didn’t know it was an elephant; I thought it was part of the furniture.” There comes an aha moment for some folks — the lucky ones — when they suddenly recognize the difference.”
― Stephen King
Drinking too much is harmful to health. Overuse is associated with more than 140,000 deaths and 3.6 million years of potential life lost annually in the United States. Those who die from drinking too much have an average of 26 years of life lost.
Excessive drinking is associated with one in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20 to 64. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption leads to a huge economic cost; we lose about $250 billion to the disease annually or about $2.05 per drink.
Aerobic activity and alcohol consumption
Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) researchers recently reported findings from a randomized controlled trial, FitForChange. Let’s explore the finding, as reported in three separate research papers.
The study evaluated 140 physically inactive adults with an alcohol use disorder (AUD). The two physical activity groups exercised three times weekly for 12 weeks.
Researchers did assessments at baseline and 12 weeks, including blood markers of health. They also objectively measured physical activity with accelerometers. Within the randomized trial, the scientists also conducted an exercise study where participants did intense cycling for 12 minutes.
The participants also reported cravings for alcohol and mood states (including anxiety).
Results
Aerobic exercise and yoga both appeared effective in reducing alcohol consumption compared with usual care. The biggest drop in use appeared among yoga participants — nearly seven standard drinks per week.
Even single aerobic exercise sessions dropped cravings for alcohol, lowered anxiety, and improved mood states.
Listen to the study authors:
“The optimal time to exercise is when cravings are high — typically in the afternoon or evening. Repeatedly replacing alcohol with a brief session of exercise may ‘re-wire’ the brain to respond positively to the rewards associated with exercise, resulting in less craving.”
Why would exercise help to reduce alcohol consumption? Exercise makes us feel good, reducing anxiety and stress. This change might affect alcohol consumption by reducing cravings and improving cognition.
Thank you for joining me in this brief look at how exercise (including yoga) can reduce cravings for alcohol.
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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
