Published January 1, 2024

Dry January was introduced in 2013 in the UK.¹ What started with 4,000 people forgoing alcohol for 31 days has grown tremendously over the years. In 2023, about 15% of US adults said they would participate in the monthlong challenge.²

So, what is all the buzz about? Why has the sober-curious movement grown in recent years?

There are many reasons you might choose to abstain, either temporarily or altogether. Let’s look at some of the basic ways your body may thank you for taking a break from alcohol.

Recipes.

Health benefits.

Studies have shown that participating in Dry January was associated with beneficial changes in participants’ physical and psychological well-being.³ Other positive changes include improved sleep⁴ and a reduction in empty calories, which can help maintain a healthy weight.⁵ Reducing intake is also associated with a decrease in the risk of heart disease⁶ and certain types of cancers.⁷

If or when you choose to include alcohol in your life, we encourage you to drink responsibly. The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,⁸ along with many health organizations, encourage those of legal drinking age to drink in moderation, limiting intake to 2 drinks or less per day for men and 1 drink or less per day for women.

Nonalcoholic options.

There are many ways to enjoy some of the flavors and social perks of drinking without alcohol.

Many companies are now offering reduced and even alcohol-free beverage varieties, available at your neighborhood Publix. These include items like nonalcoholic beers and alcohol-removed wines. Aside from these offerings, some choose to enjoy other alternatives such as club sodas, tonic water, kombucha, and sparkling water.

If you prefer to be your own mocktail mixologist, we can help with that too. Check out our Merry-Melony Mocktail, which packs a minty and uplifting flavor with refreshing iced watermelon tidbits. For something tropical, our Pineapple-Coconut Slush will have you convinced you are sitting on your favorite beach, toes covered in sand.

Whatever your choice is regarding alcohol in January, or any other month for that matter, we do recommend that you indulge responsibly and follow medical advice on limiting consumption. We invite you to let us be a part of that journey.

For the love of you.

Choosing how you eat is uniquely personal. It’s about your needs, your preferences, and your goals. As your wellness ally, we’re in your corner with fresh ideas, recipes, and wellness icons that make it easier to shift toward wiser food choices. It’s all about you, at your very best.

Sources

¹ The Dry January Story. Alcohol Change UK. Accessed September 12, 2023.

² Loftus, Eileen Glanton. From Dry January to Sober October: Cutting Back on Alcohol. American Association for Cancer Research. January 23, 2023.

³ O de Visser, Richard, and Richard Piper. Short- and Longer-Term Benefits of Temporary Alcohol Abstinence During 'Dry January' Are Not Also Observed Among Adult Drinkers in the General Population: Prospective Cohort Study. National Library of Medicine. June 25, 2020.

⁴ Colrain, Ian M., Christian L. Nicholas, and Fiona C. Baker. Alcohol and the Sleeping Brain. National Library of Medicine. February 21, 2018.

⁵ Shelton, Nicola Jane, and Craig S. Knott. Association Between Alcohol Calorie Intake and Overweight and Obesity in English Adults. National Library of Medicine. April 2014.

⁶ Biddinger, Kiran J., Connor A. Emdin, and Mary E. Haas. Association of Habitual Alcohol Intake with Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. JAMA Network. March 25, 2022.

⁷ Nelson, David E., Dwayne W. Jarman, and Jürgen Rehm, et al. Alcohol-Attributable Cancer Deaths and Years of Potential Life Lost in the United States. National Library of Medicine. April 2013.

⁸ What Are the U.S. Guidelines for Drinking? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Accessed September 22, 2023.