Alcohol Free For 40 2020: Post-challenge data round-up
The annual #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge is always just that – a challenge to the mind and the body as we commit to forty days alcohol-free, making it our own little self-experiment with pre- and post-challenge metrics. Every year, the Challenge elicits immensely positive changes in participants’ energy, sleep, appearance, attitude and mood, along with measurable, quantifiable improvements in weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, inflammatory markers.
This year’s 5th annual #AlcoholFreeFor40 Challenge, however, posed an even challenge than usual, as Covid-19 turned our world upside down.
As a result, the post-challenge labs were delayed until safety protocols allowed for participants to go to the labs, extending the challenge to 82 days for those who decided to remain alcohol-free, versus the original 40 days planed.
Pre- and post-challenge lab data was collected for 97 of the original 529 participants. These 97 participants maintained a substantially reduced alcohol intake for the extended duration of 82 days; 23 of the 97 reported staying 100% alcohol free for the full 82 days.
Whether it is a 10% change or 50% change, the Ochsner Eat Fit Team is proud of every participant that chose to take on this challenge this year. The following data is representative of key changes from the cohort of the twenty-three participants who abstained 100%, followed by summary on all 97 who participated in pre- and post-labs.
Data compiled and analyzed by Jala Lockhart, DTR, MPH-CHES.
DATA | 23 Participants 100% Alcohol Free x 82 Days
High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein [hs-CRP, a marker of inflammation]
60.9% (14 of 23) experienced ≥ 10% improvement
21.7% (5 of 23) experienced an improvement of 37.5% or greater
13% (3 of 23) had hs-CRP results above normal limits at the onset (4.02, 5.51, and 6.21) that were at the low end of normal at the end of the 82 days (0.52, 1.02 and 1.76 respectively)
Liver Enzymes ALT & AST
69.6% (16 of 23) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in ALT
13% (3 of 23) experienced an improvement of 42% or greater
Two participants had ALT levels more than 50% greater than upper limit at the onset (67 and 78) that were in the mid-range of normal (29 and 33) at the end of the 82 days.
52.2% (12 of 23) experienced ≥ 10% decrease in AST
21.7% (5 of 23) experienced ≥ 30% decrease in AST
13% (3 of 23) had AST results above normal limits at the onset (44, 50 and 72) that were in the mid-range of normal at the end of the 82 days (030, 24 and 37, respectively)
Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT, a liver test that’s most affected by alcohol)
73.9% (17 of 23) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in GGT
30.4% (7 of 23) experienced ≥ 40% improvement in GGT
One notable improvement was a participant with GGT nearly twice the normal limit at the onset (108) that was in the low end of normal at the end of 82 days (19).
Lipid Panel
60% (14 of 23) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in Triglycerides
30.4% (7 of 23) experienced ≥ 40% improvement in Triglycerides
No significant trend observed with Total, LDL or HDL Cholesterol
DATA | All 97 post-challenge lab participants with significantly reduced alcohol intake x 82 Days
56.7% (55 of 97) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in hs-CRP
65.0% (63 97) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in ALT
57.7% (56 of 97) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in AST
77.1% (74 of 96) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in GGT
45.7% (43 of 94) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in ESR
43.3% (43 of 97) experienced ≥ 10% improvement in Total Cholesterol
39.0% (7 of 95) experienced improvements in LDL
58.8% (57 of 97) experienced ≥ 40% improvement in Triglycerides
Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian + nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles + TV segments at www.mollykimball.com.