STUDY IS SEXIST? –
Jan. 19, 2026 – We now have the research to confirm that sobriety isn’t just transforming your tipple of choice, but your thirst for life. According to the government’s latest Health Survey for England, almost a quarter of women have embraced the ‘sober curious’ lifestyle – a name borrowed from Ruby Warrington’s trend-starting 2018 book and accelerated by the pandemic’s spike in health awareness. Today, the pub feels very Boomer compared with holistic social spaces – such as group cold plunges and booze-free raves – all of which have bubbled no- and low-alcohol options into an industry projected to reach £800m by 2028.
Alongside wellness-motivated Gen Z and millennials, newly clued-up mid-fortysomethings (and beyond) have shaken off teetotalism’s stigma as evidence shows alcohol can worsen perimenopause and menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes and sleep issues, and increase the risk of osteoporosis and breast cancer. While UK drinking guidelines recommend no more than 14 units per week, scientists now know that any amount is potentially carcinogenic, making the strongest case yet for quitting in our longevity-obsessed times.
