Models like Chrissy Teigen are making a sexy case for sober living

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Staying on the wagon can do more than save you money on wine. Gorgeous young women are taking to Instagram to dish about the benefits of quitting alcohol.

Models Chrissy Teigen, wife of John Legend, and Victoria’s Secret babe Bridget Malcolm are the latest beauties to extol a sober lifestyle, claiming it’s improved their health, looks and overall well-being.

On Monday, Malcolm, a 29-year-old Aussie, opened up in an Instagram Story Q&A, noting that, after two years of abstinence, her alcohol-free self is “happier, more positive, fitter and more optimistic.”

She wrote about having clearer skin, better friendships, stronger coping skills and, instead of fluctuating, maintaining a “steady” and “healthy” weight.

Meanwhile, on New Year’s Eve, Teigen declared on Instagram how she’d gone a month without touching the hard stuff.

The 35-year-old wrote: “I was done with making an ass of myself in front of people (I’m still embarrassed), tired of day drinking and feeling like sh*t at 6, not being able to sleep.”

Her secret? Cutting it out after reading Holly Whitaker’s book, called “Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice To Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol.”

The fact younger women are espousing the benefits of sobriety is important to New Yorker Ruby Warrington — a leading voice in the anti-booze movement popular among millennials — whose latest book, “The Sober Curious Reset: Change the Way You Drink in 100 Days or Less,” was published in December.

She told The Post: “It’s a hugely positive development.

“For too long, there’s been a stigma around the subject of alcohol abuse and addiction, which has stopped many people who aren’t alcoholics from questioning their own drinking habits.

“People [like Teigen and Malcolm] speaking about why they’ve quit – together with the health benefits – gives others permission to assess their intake and its effects.”

Noting the “serious” damage that booze causes the mind and body, Warrington pinpointed six health benefits from relinquishing wine, beer and spirits. She added: “This spring and summer may be the time to become ‘sober curious,’ and see how good life can feel without alcohol.”

Clearer skin

“Skin automatically improves since far fewer toxins are being processed by the body when you’re not drinking,” said Warrington. “They come from the alcohol itself, the bad food choices you might make and stress leading to dehydration, water retention and bloating.” Once you quit booze, skin — a good indicator of overall health — becomes more hydrated, radiant and breakouts occur less frequently.

Sharper brain power

Alcohol creates dulling and confusion, a k a “brain fog”— a residual condition. “Anyone who’s ever experienced a hangover at work will likely have said: ‘Today’s a write-off,’ ” lamented the expert. But turning your back on the hard stuff increases clarity and focus while creating more energy.

Optimum organ health

The heart and liver suffer from alcohol intake. A 2019 study found mortality rates linked to alcohol-related problems such as chronic liver disease and cirrhosis increased an astonishing 40.6 percent overall between 1999 and 2017. Meanwhile, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the US. Also linked to chronic conditions like cancers, alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable American deaths after obesity and smoking. But nil desperandum! Doctors have seen vast improvements in their patients — especially to the liver, which regenerates swiftly – once alcohol is shelved.

Improved emotional well-being

Growing research shows alcohol is behind chemical reactions that cause high anxiety (nicknamed “hangxiety”), depression and even paranoia. “It depresses the central nervous system while increasing production of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline,” said Warrington. The path to better mental health includes keeping a clear head sans alcohol and creating your own energy reserves to help deal with stress and confidence issues. “It’s actually very empowering,” she added.   

Consistent weight/improved digestion

Not only is alcohol full of sugary calories, it prevents the body from getting the nutrients it needs out of our food. “It is canceling out the benefits of following a healthy diet,” said Warrington. Weight gain, bloating and indigestion – particularly leaky gut syndrome – are strongly linked to poor drinking habits. The good news is that many symptoms can effectively be reversed by showing it the door.

Better sleep

One of the most immediate benefits of quitting alcohol is a higher quality of sleep. “Although a sedative, alcohol is more likely to make us wake up frequently and prevent us from going into REM, the deepest sleep state,” said Warrington. Ditching the bottle means improved quality of sleep and subsequent benefits such as increased alertness, lowered fatigue and, best of all, longevity.

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