Overview
- An analysis of 16 studies in Alcohol and Alcoholism links a one‑month pause to better mood and sleep plus healthier blood pressure, blood sugar and liver function, with some weight loss reported.
- Several studies in the review report that cutting back rather than fully abstaining yields similar short‑term improvements for many participants.
- Follow‑up data cited in the review show reduced drinking frequency, fewer episodes of drunkenness and lower overall consumption six months later.
- Dry January participation has scaled from thousands in 2013 to millions today, with a 2025 YouGov poll finding 21% of U.S. adults planned to take part as overall drinking rates decline.
- The health push follows stronger risk messaging, including a U.S. Surgeon General advisory linking alcohol to seven cancers and expert cautions that one month may not produce lasting physiological reversals for everyone.