Drinking less or not at all is in fashion – 01/28/2024 – Ronaldo Lemos

Some time ago I wrote about the phenomenon of the “sober curious.” The name sucks, but it refers to a growing trend. The fact that many people are reducing their alcohol consumption, or even stopping drinking.

Well, now someone has invented a better name for the trend: “low & no”. The term refers to people who drink little (“low”) or nothing (“no”).

A recent survey carried out in England by the consultancy company KAM brings interesting numbers: 5.2 million people claim to be drinking less now compared to two years ago.

According to the report, there is a cultural shift underway. Alcohol is central to a range of social activities, but increasingly not drinking is normalized. Those who don’t drink no longer need to explain themselves or even apologize.

Of every 4 adults in England, 3 say they are in some way moderating their alcohol consumption. It is also younger people, between 18 and 34 years old, who consume less alcohol and more moderation.

It is also interesting to note that visits to bars and restaurants without ordering alcoholic drinks are growing.

In 2023, 31% of visits to English pubs did not involve the consumption of alcohol. Among restaurants, the number is 40%.

There are many reasons to drink less. For example, some people say they do this to spend less.

However, the most significant part has to do with health reasons. For example, those who practice physical activities want to lose weight, improve their mental health, sleep better or improve their appearance.

Every year England runs a public health campaign called “Dry January”. She talks not only about reducing alcohol consumption but also informs about habits related to drinking and health.

After all, England has a public healthcare system, and the costs caused by excessive consumption are absorbed by it. The campaign spread, and is now carried out across Europe and also in the USA.

In Brazil, a dry January would never work, as it is the day before Carnival. Maybe an August would work, already taking advantage of the month’s bad reputation among us.

This trend has in practice generated an explosion in the production of non-alcoholic drinks. In Brazil, non-alcoholic beers are already a reality. But the market is much more diverse.

There are drinks of all types being made with thermogenic ingredients such as ginger or turmeric. There is also the emergence of alcohol-free wines. Or even the growth of so-called “small beers”. Beers with low alcohol content, like 1% or even 0.5%.

It is in commerce that the change ends up materializing. The space for non-alcoholic drinks grew by 60% on the shelves, according to one of the main English store chains.

In restaurants, an expanded non-alcoholic session, which goes beyond water and soft drinks, is also increasingly common. And, of course, talking about the subject is also becoming more common.

I know that with Carnival just around the corner, the theme is anathema to many people. But this column is rebellious.

reader

Already it was Needing to apologize for not drinking

Already It is Moderation in the “low & no” alcohol style

It’s coming Growth of beverages such as small beers, mocktails, wine and non-alcoholic beers

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