Is Alcohol Really THAT Bad?! | Dan’s Journey Back to Health and Fitness (Pt. 6)

Alcohol is technically a poison… So why do we still choose to drink it? On Dan’s journey back to health & fitness, cutting down on alcohol has been one of his biggest lifestyle changes. Along the way, he’s uncovered some shocking truths, debunked common myths, and faced the reality behind this often-overlooked drug… How has this changed his approach to his health?

00:00 How bad is alcohol, really?
00:48 Dan’s relationship with alcohol
02:47 What is alcohol?
03:50 Is alcohol bad for us?
07:31 Short-term effects
09:42 Longer-term risks
11:58 Are there any benefits to alcohol consumption?
16:23 When is the best time to consume alcohol?
17:24 Dan’s alcohol consumption & desire to change
19:30 Conclusion
20:07 Dan’s new goal and update on progress

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[deanhay]

A thoughtful, mature presentation that treats the audience as adults. We need more of this on the internet.

[FitnessAndLongevityWithHan]

I’m 53 and have trained with weights since the age of 15. I also drank daily 3 to 4 drinks from the age of 27 to the age of 51. Working out, kept me fit and kept alcohols drawbacks to a minimum. At least that’s what I thought until I stopped drinking. It’s been two years since I quit and the physical changes were phenomenal. Again, I thought I was fit, but when I stopped, I realized the aches and pains I felt that I associated with ageing were actually due to drinking alcohol. Stopping was the greatest thing I’ve ever done and I hope everyone reading this can be inspired to stop themselves. Life is just better.

[tonynekrews]

After drinking consistently from the age of 15 to 56, I’ve now managed to go 11 years without a drop. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made and I wish I’d had the sense & courage to stop sooner.

Good to hear of your ongoing journey Dan and I wish you well as you go further

[dtegg]

I was a bartender in NYC for 10+ years. I've seen every type of drinker there is sitting across the bar from me. A lot of people drink for different reasons, but many (including many dear friends) drink excessively because it's habitual. Drinking is a part of their lives and part of their personality, but it's an unsustainable way to live. The party can't go on forever.
While I agree with Dan that alcohol can be the best social lubricant out there (one I still enjoy), it shouldn't be the crutch for your social life. You need to be able to have a healthy relationship with alcohol that you can control, and it shouldn't be the deal breaker to a hangout with friends. The reason you're there is the friends and not the alcohol.
After all of my years making and serving drinks, I actually drink less than ever. Something about all those years behind the bar turned me off from it in a way I can't explain. I still love an ice-cold beer on a hot day or a glass of whiskey on a winter night, but it's absolutely vital for me to be able to experience those moments without alcohol or be able to just have one or two and call it a night, and maybe have *weeks* between drinks without that being an issue.
Love this series Dan and keep up the great content.

**N.B.**: Also, as someone who only stopped bartending in Jan 2024, there are a ton of non-alcoholic options you can have now. Non-alcohol beer, cocktails (Phony negroni), soda with bitters (very very small amount of alcohol in it), or just a soda with lime (this actually looks like a cocktail). If you think you're going to be judged by whoever you're with, just ask the bartender to make it look like a cocktail.

[IRunDaily]

Five years without a drink and it's the best decision I've ever made. I fit a similar profile to Dan in terms of consumption and how it made me feel and respond. I looked ahead to the next few decades of my life and decided that the negatives (weight gain, anxiety, sleep effects, hangovers) were too considerable to ignore. I do miss it; I i do envy people who can have "just one or two" and I don't pass judgement on those who do drink. But i wouldn't change that decision for any amount now. Plus, the alcohol free options available now are so much better than they were give years ago. No one really notices you after the first drink!

[davidcollier]

Dan, I've watched heaps of good GCN videos, some entertaining, some funny and some full of useful information, but I think that this is the "best" GCN segment that I've ever watched. Your truthfulness dealing with this potentially awkward subject is heart warming. Thankyou!

[atlosass]

This has been the best series on GCN. I've really enjoyed your journey, Dan. I gave up alcohol almost 15 years ago and my high blood pressure went away and I lost about 20 pounds. It wasn't easy, but I've been on balance very happy with my decision.

[mikep]

This maybe the best content you and GCN have done. Felt like a talk and not a lecture.

[Bikingdad]

I wanted to add my story here. I’m 50 and drank to much all my adult life, consumption varied depending how I felt but I’ve drank socially with friends and also on my own. I’ve also used it many times as a way to get through life, I’ve hidden my empty bottles through shame, phoned in sick to work more than a few times. Cancelled plans because I was too hungover to attend and even skipped romantic dates so I could drink. I even cancelled on seeing my children for it yet I could never admit to myself that it was controlling me, not the other way round. Then I got told I had cancer about 3 years back and went through chemo. In remission now so all good but that obviously made me think and stop for a while. Then a year back my grandson was also born and I made a choice, I could carry on like I did in the past and maybe live another ten years, or I could take control and watch my grandson grow up and be part of it. I also got back into cycling for first time in quite a while, and found I would rather get a good nights sleep and go out for a bike ride and enjoy it and feel good afterwards so I don’t want to drink as then I knew I wouldn’t go. Now, I’m much healthier, my cholesterol and blood pressure are the best they have been in as long as I can remember, I have lost weight, my skin is looking much better and I’m now very active at the weekends and only drink on the rare occasion I go out with friends, which also means I get tipsy quicker so costs less 😉. I feel a lot happier and healthier, my strongest advice to anyone who finds themself like I was, do it, you will look back and feel it’s the best thing you ever did and you will feel good for it, I promise you. It’s not easy but it’s worth it.

[thsaintful]

I love that this is not a condescending video. Great job Dan and GCN. First half of this year i didn't drink a single drop of alcohol, purely to see if I could and how it would make me feel. I was not a heavy drinker before. (1 day per week, max 6 drinks) My sleep quality drastically increased, my resting heart rate decreased a bit and I was fitter and performed better in the cycling i do. I did not FEEL fitter though. After the 6 month period I am back to my " regular" habbits. I dont feel like I am compromising my health (Even though the evidence is irrefutable), and I just have more fun with friends now. I try to be conscious about when and how much I drink and I feel for me that is good enough.

[oraclexi]

Realising I don't need alcohol to enhance any part of my life is the best change in mindset I've ever had. Great video series 👍

[bikeskimawk]

I have cut way back on alcohol many years ago. On a rare occasion, I will have one or two drinks that is all. I came to this with a few different motivations. First, I have a physical job. I need to be healthy to make a living. Second, the financial cost. Thirdly, I lost my father to alcohol-influenced early death. The point you mention about the social aspect of drinking I have dealt with. By not drinking, I have avoided many opportunities to socialize by not attending a gathering where people would be drinking. It is a mental battle I deal with. Being a non-drinker you do feel out of place and that you do not belong. Dan, I applaud you for this series and for going beyond the world of cycling and sharing content on good health. Live to the level of your healthy smile.

[alinapopescu]

My father died at 46, an alcoholic. And a heavy smoker. He started at the age of 15 or 16, because all his mates drank and smoked. At 46, he got a serious respiratory infection. His heart and lungs couldn't cope. He died on the morning of the 24th of December. My brother and I stay well away from alcohol and cigarettes. We've seen first hand what they can do.

[kimwrinkle]

I’m 66 years old and have never even tasted an alcoholic beverage. I made that choice as a teenager, obsessively concerned with my athletic endeavors and having seen family alcoholism destroy lives. I also experienced losing two good friends in alcohol abuse- related incidents, and just over 2 1/2 years ago my younger sister was killed while a passenger in an automobile driven by an intoxicated driver. Perhaps I’m unique in my abstinence and I try not to judge those who do use alcohol, but I shall forever remain alcohol-free.

[pedrojorge]

My mom died six years ago since then I haven’t been doing much to stay healthy. Haven’t been riding my bike. I’ve been drinking like a fish and I’ve been having a horrible diet last night. I had a wake up call by catching a DWI interesting that this is the first video I saw online this morning. now that my son is also fighting cancer I realize that I need to stopl Self medicating, and and I have to start being the father that he deserves .thank you for this video. I have forgotten how much I enjoyed your content.

[heftynovice]

This is one of the best, most clear videos I've ever seen. I've been reconsidering my relationship with alcohol for a while now and this video is fantastic in supporting that journey.

[chrisobrien]

I quit in 1985 on a bet, and my Irish catholic father who was a pacific campaign marine in WWII got a DUI a few weeks later. He was directed to go to AA. He decided to quit, and i stayed sober to support him. I don't miss it. 39 years now

[mickchaganis]

Thank you Dan for putting alcohol across like this, I have to admit I wasn't expecting it from you because of the way you portrayed booze in many previous GCN videos.
I gave up alcohol well over 5 years ago, started cycling and building bikes with all the money I saved, I totted up at the end of year 3 I'd spent £14000 on building bikes which was what I would have spent on alcohol. I'm 2 stone lighter, so much fitter, happier and more chilled.
I thank you again for your honest portrayal of this poison, it's great that your son doesn't drink, he could have gone the other way. Alcohol creeps up on us, chats us up, makes us want it more and so many people are addicted and don't even know that they are.
Well done.

[aszel]

That's one high quality talk about a complex topic. Respect to you, sir!

[pjgarcia]

Thank you for your honesty, Dan! That must have been a difficult confession to make to the entire world. Much respect! I quit drinking 20+ years ago because I personally didn't like the feeling it gave me. I've always substituted club soda or sparkling water when socializing and enjoyed the feeling of being in control of my reflexes, my inhibitions, and especially my mouth - as I tend to be quite uninhibited in my conversation as it is. When asked if I'd like a drink, I always respond, "No thanks. I've alienated enough people sober." It always gets a laugh.