3 Ways Dry January Might Mess With Your Poop Schedule

Key Takeaways

Alcohol can cause diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues.

People who stop drinking for Dry January may notice their bathroom habits change.

If you experience constipation during Dry January, experts recommend drinking enough water and eating more fiber.

Dry January, not drinking alcohol during the first month of the year, can lead to positive health effects. But it could also change your bowel habits, since drinking can affect how—and how often—you poop. Here are the changes you might experience.

1. Diarrhea

“Alcohol impacts the gut in multiple ways,” Rabia De Latour, MD, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone, told Verywell. “If you’re talking about bowel movements, it can cause diarrhea in certain people.”

Diarrhea is commonly seen among people with