Hey Zero Proof Team,

We’re excited to announce a fresh update! Starting next week, your Zero Proof newsletter will land in your inbox every Thursday morning at 8 AM PST. 🎉

We’re making this change to better align with your feedback and to give you a powerful start to your end-of-week. Thanks for being part of this journey—let’s keep thriving together! 💪

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Also, don’t forget to fill out our usual poll at the bottom of the newsletter if you have feedback on the content of this specific issue.

Today’s menu:

• No Booze News 📈: Drinking just one glass? The shocking truth about alcohol and dementia risks revealed.

• They’re one of us 🤝:  Unlock the secrets of an alcohol free life - 6 transformative insights from a wellness coach and author.

• Wait, but why? 🤔: Why does alcohol cause me to blackout?

• Proofer Products 📖: Alive AF - one anxious mom’s journey to becoming alcohol free.

• Event Spotlight 🌱: Copenhagen Health Week (CPH-HW).

No Booze News 📈:

Drinking just one glass? The shocking truth about alcohol and dementia risks revealed.

🚨 Key Takeaway: A new study shows every sip of alcohol increases your risk of dementia. Unlike earlier research suggesting moderate drinking might offer protection, this study confirms a clear, linear relationship between alcohol consumption and dementia risk.

Here’s What You Need to Know:

• No Safe Amount: The study in eClinicalMedicine reveals that even light drinking elevates dementia risk. No level of alcohol consumption is considered safe.

• Old vs. New Findings: Previous research hinted at benefits from moderate drinking. This study challenges that with evidence of consistent risk regardless of amount consumed.

• How Alcohol Affects the Brain: Ethanol in alcohol disrupts neuron communication and impairs memory formation. It also contributes to brain atrophy and inhibits neuron growth.

• Debunking Myths: The idea that moderate drinking benefits heart health is now disputed. There's no health benefit to alcohol, and it’s more harmful than helpful for brain health.

• Understanding ‘Abstainer Bias’: Past studies might have skewed results by including former drinkers with health issues in non-drinking control groups, making alcohol seem less harmful.

• Broader Risks: Age, smoking, and other factors also influence dementia risk, but addressing alcohol consumption remains crucial.

Empowering Insight: Cutting out alcohol is a powerful step toward better brain health. Prioritize your well-being—make informed choices and protect your future. 🌟

They’re one of us 🤝:

Unlock the secrets of an alcohol-free life- 6 transformative insights from a wellness coach and author.

Samantha Perkins, a passionate advocate for alcohol-free living, offers profound insights in her latest article. As an author and wellness coach, she’s navigated the ups and downs of sobriety and has emerged with six key lessons:

1. Community is everything – She found support in sober groups and friendships that kept her strong.

2. No more hangovers – It’s life-changing to wake up without the fog.

3. Alcohol is more dangerous than we think – 1 in 10 adults die from alcohol-related causes.

4. We’ve been sold a lie – Ads make drinking look essential, but it’s all marketing.

5. Numbing out won’t help – Booze keeps you stuck; cutting it clears the way for real growth.

6. The tide is turning – More voices are speaking out about alcohol’s risks.

Takeaway: Embrace the journey towards an alcohol-free life with informed awareness and robust support. Samantha’s insights highlight that prioritizing health over temporary fixes leads to true fulfillment and growth.

For a deeper dive into Samantha’s transformative journey and her powerful lessons, check out her full article and her TEDx talk.

Wait, but why? 🤔:

But why do I blackout?

Ever wondered why you can navigate a night out, hold conversations, and even get home, yet wake up with gaps in your memory? That’s a blackout—a strange side effect of alcohol that leaves your brain in the dark while the rest of you seems to function.

Back in 1969, Dr. Donald Goodwin conducted an experiment. He gave intoxicated participants a simple task: remember a toy they’d just seen. Two minutes later, most could recall it. Thirty minutes later, half couldn’t. Blackout.

So, what’s happening?

1. Ethanol is the culprit: Ethanol, the main player in alcohol, crosses into your brain and messes with how neurons communicate. You’re still able to talk, walk, and engage, but your memory takes the biggest hit.

2. Neurons can’t connect: While you’re aware of your surroundings, the neurons responsible for creating memories are blocked from forming long-term connections.

3. LTP disruption: Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the process that helps turn moments into memories. Alcohol disrupts LTP, so while you’re experiencing events, your brain isn’t storing them.

4. It’s all about your BAC: When your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) hits 0.16 or higher, blackouts are common. Lower levels might give you “brownouts” — those fuzzy, patchy memories from the night before.

Other factors like genetics, hydration, and brain development play a role too. Teens are more vulnerable due to ongoing brain development, and excessive drinking can cause long-term damage, affecting memory permanently.

Takeaway: Alcohol doesn’t just impair your judgment, it hijacks your brain’s ability to make memories. The next time you’re out, think about more than just the fun in the moment—consider how you’ll feel when the lights come back on in the morning, and the details are gone.

Proofer Products 🛒:

Alive AF: One Anxious Mom’s Journey to Becoming Alcohol Free

If you're navigating the alcohol-free lifestyle or curious about it, Alive AF is a must-read.

You caught a glimpse of Samantha Perkins earlier, but here she shares her raw, relatable journey to living alcohol-free, breaking down myths and embracing a life of clarity.

Worth noting: This book is not just for those giving up alcohol, but for anyone looking to live more intentionally. Expect humor, heart, and a whole lot of honesty.

📖👉🏼 Check out Alive AF by Samantha Perkins 👈🏼📖

Event Spotlight 🌱 :

Copenhagen Health Week

CPH-HW: A week-long celebration of health, wellness, and sustainable living in Copenhagen.

The event offers workshops, speakers, and hands-on experiences in one of the world’s most wellness-focused cities.

Why it matters: Even if you’re US-based, attending an international wellness event like this can offer fresh perspectives and innovative health practices to bring home.

Key takeaway: It’s not just for locals—global health enthusiasts gather here to explore cutting-edge trends in fitness, nutrition, and mental health.

🩺👉🏼 More on Copenhagen Health Week 👈🏼🩺

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