By some estimates, about 15% of people in the United States who drink observe this trend.
You may also notice a change in yourbowel movementssince drinking can affect howand how oftenyou poop.
If youre talking about bowel movements, it can cause diarrhea in certain people.
Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images
For other people, it may cause constipation.
It throws off the fluid balance in your intestines, and thats why you might face these issues.
Abstaining from alcohol during Dry January may resolve these issues.
This could be due to alcohols effects on the stomach lining.
Constipation
The reason that alcohol can causeconstipationis that it can cause dehydration, De Latour explained.
These changes can affect people who havent been drinking that long or those who tend to drink heavily often.
Your bathroom habits may become healthier when you stop drinkingeven temporarily.
Abstaining from alcohol shouldnt cause constipation, De Latour explained.
Foods high in dietary fiber include fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Drinking can cause constipation, diarrhea, as well as other GI problems.
If you temporarily pause drinkingor decide to stop permanentlyyou may notice changes to your bathroom habits.
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