Belgium is launching a challenge to citizens to go alcohol-free for the month of February. The so-called “Mineral Round” or Tournée Minérale commences on the first of the month and encourages people to give their bodies a break from the effects of alcohol.
The initiative was started by the Cancer Foundation in 2017 to highlight the benefits of avoiding booze and letting the body recover from alcohol consumption. It is now promoted by the non-profit Univers santé which is affiliated with the university UCLouvain.
Why February?
Many countries around the world follow up the indulgence of the Christmas period with an immediate appeal for people to implement “Dry January”, a month that some joke already feels like it has hundreds of days. Instead, Belgium focuses on February, the shortest month of the year, for its health kick.
Participants are not expected to simply “go it alone” and are offered a range of resources, such as alcohol-free recipes, competitions, incentives, and practical information about how to stay on the wagon for the duration of a month that includes temptations such as Valentine’s Day and, sometimes, Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day.
What’s wrong with a tipple?
In a land famed for its brewing culture, the average Belgian consumes over 9 litres of pure alcohol per year, exceeding the recommended limit. But for those who do manage to follow the path of temperance, the health and well-being benefits are clear, according to researchers.
Alcohol is linked to seven different types of cancer and is the primary cause of preventable death among 15 to 29-year-olds in Belgium, and the second most common cause of preventable death in the general population, after tobacco use. Its short-term effects include mood alteration, hangovers and even poisoning, as well as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. It can affect sleep quality and cause longer-term cognitive difficulties, as well as disrupt the kidneys’ ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes. Notoriously, it can cause irreparable liver damage too.
Longer-lasting benefits
“An alcohol-free month helps people to take a moment to consciously think about how they deal with alcohol. That’s especially gratifying,” says Tom Evenepoel, the Flemish campaign coordinator.
That improved awareness can lead to a more long-lasting reset, according to project data showing that participants in the February Mineral Round have been shown to cut their alcohol consumption by an average of 20% over the six months following the end of the initiative too, improving their health outlook significantly. We can all say “Cheers” to that.
