IF a tablet was developed that reduced blood pressure, cholesterol and the risk of several life-threatening diseases, while helping people to lose weight, sleep and concentrate, it would be hailed as a new wonder drug.

While no such drug has yet been developed, it seems exactly the same effects can be achieved by stopping drinking alcohol for a month.

Tests on men and women who took part in this year's Dry January month-long alcohol abstinence campaign found their liver function, blood pressure and cholesterol levels were better, and they were at lower risk of developing diabetes and liver disease.

The research, from University College London (UCL), also found some participants lost as much as 6lbs, and reported improvements in concentration and sleeping.

The big question now, says Professor Kevin Moore, the study's principal investigator, is what the long-term effects of alcohol abstinence are.

"Dry January makes you healthier, so it tells you that alcohol's bad for you - but if you do stop drinking, are there any long-term benefits? We don't know, although you can probably infer that it does have an impact," says Prof Moore. "If this occurs after one month, what happens after three months? Are these effects sustained?"

Before their alcohol-free month, female participants in the research had been drinking an average of 29 units a week, or four units a day, and the men typically drank 31 units - both above government guidelines.

After four weeks, their liver stiffness (an indication of damage and scarring) had been reduced by 12.5per cent, and their insulin resistance (a measurement of diabetes risk) had come down by 28per cent. "When you give up drinking for a month, a number of measurements improve, which suggest your cardiovascular risk of having a stroke is reduced," says Professor Moore. "Insulin resistance improves substantially, which can also have an impact on cardiovascular risk."

The abstinence also reduced the development of fatty liver disease. Being obese can cause fat deposits in the liver, sparking inflammation which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Prof Moore adds: "Some people who stop drinking haven't even gone a week without drinking for years. But when you do stop, the world doesn't fall out from underneath you. People realise they can do it, and when they feel better - and many do - they ask themselves whether a month off alcohol leads to a healthier 12 months."

Another important question is whether people revert to previous drinking behaviour after abstaining for a month. "If they don't, and it reduces their overall alcohol consumption, then that has to be a good thing," says Prof Moore.

Excessive alcohol intake is associated with a myriad of health problems, including increased risk of liver disease, heart problems, some cancers and mental health issues.

Kirsty Brannan, manager of the Substance Support Team at Horton Housing, said: “It can be easy for alcohol consumption to get out of control without realising. A few drinks with colleagues after work or a bottle of wine with a meal can soon add up and with the festive season upon us this can escalate further. Once someone starts drinking to hazardous levels it can be more difficult to break those habits and alcohol consumption can spiral out of control.

“Be honest with yourself about how much you are really drinking and how this may be impacting your day-to-day life. If you don’t like what you see then the first step is to ask for help. Speak to your GP who can explore your options and if necessary refer you to specialist services for help.

“Heavy and frequent alcohol use can lead to wider health issues and alcohol dependency, which in turn can lead to diabetes, liver disease, pancreatic problems, heart trouble, gastric problems and a variety of cancers, along with mental health issues. It can also lead to a breakdown in family relationship, problems at work and keeping a roof over your head.

“We have seen people using our services with acutely poor health turn their lives around by stopping drinking. The first step is to admit that you have a problem and seek help.”

Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical advisor for alcohol education charity Drinkaware, says: "In the long-term, the best evidence for avoiding alcohol-related harm comes from sticking within the recommended lower risk guidelines."

She says light alcohol intake - up to one drink per day for women and one or two for men - may have an effect on reducing heart disease and stroke in middle-aged and older people. But there's no evidence that drinking above government guidelines provides any benefit to the heart - men who drink heavily are over 60per cent more likely to die from heart disease, and the risk to women is more than doubled.

She thinks Professor Moore's study is promising because of the health benefits it identifies, and adds: "I support the idea of people having a month off from drinking alcohol, but only if it doesn't mean that for the rest of the year they're less concerned about cutting back."

* To track alcohol consumption and calculate units, download Drinkaware's free mobile app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit drinkaware.co.uk