Dry January: The Benefits of alcohol-free alternatives

Our employees and workers have taken part in Dry January this year. We wanted to provide the benefits to going alcohol-free and why it is a great challenge to take part in. For those who are taking part or are reading this after January, these are some benefits and reasons to go alcohol-free.

The benefits of alcohol-free alternatives

Ourselves and some of our workers have been participating in Dry January. With that being said, it can be hard to cut alcohol when you have a craving for a cheeky beverage at night.

What are the benefits of going alcohol-free?

Alcohol can have aftereffects such as tiredness and generally feeling unwell, as well as contributing to current mental health issues, including something that affects a lot of us during Winter, seasonal affective disorder.

Going alcohol-free can help reduce physical and mental health issues that affect your overall wellbeing. With those reduced, you can enjoy life a lot more.

Why would you have a non-alcoholic alternative?

A non-alcoholic beverage can help create the feeling of celebration without the side effects. They can also make you feel included at social events, enjoying yourself without the hangover.

There is a study that suggests drinking alcohol-free drinks can trigger a similar feel-good response to the brain, just as alcohol does. This may be because due to its similarities your brain is tricked into thinking you’re drinking alcohol. Like a placebo.

…are non-alcoholic drinks better for your health?

Depending on how much your drink and what it is…

You are gaining benefits from not drinking alcohol, but the alternatives do contain a lot of sugar.

You can gain the benefits of an alcoholic beverage through a non-alcoholic beverage. There is evidence that beer contains antioxidants protecting your cells in the body from damage. However, you can gain these through healthier alternatives such as vitamins, minerals, fibre from fruit & vegetables.

How can I make a non-alcoholic alternative special?

There are a few ways you can make your

• Serve your alcohol-free drinks in nice glasses. This can help if you’re really celebrating.
• Try adding special garnishes to your alcohol-free alternatives.
• Match your drink to the occasion.
• Have a mocktail making session with your friends or family. Experiment with flavours to recreate classic favourites or create your own.

See some mocktail recipes you could try by clicking here

If you are taking part in Dry January, we’d love to hear from you regarding the benefits you’ve found. Send us an email by clicking here