As Dry January begins, the debate on the impact of alcohol among health leaders continues.
Yvonne Khananis, the owner and executive chef of Polenteria in Los Gatos, is seeing an uptick in mocktail orders. Polenteria offers an entirely gluten-free Italian menu.
“There’s so much more out there. You can actually make a rum and coke, or a gin and tonic or a margarita,” Khananis said.
Khananis once owned a bottle shop full of nonalcoholic spirits. She sees the nonalcoholic industry growing for people who are choosing to either not drink or to take a break from it.
“Typically during the year, I’ll take a week or two weeks, however long my soul can handle not having a cocktail. I’m sure everyone understands that,” Khananis said.
DRY JANUARY: What is it and how beneficial can giving up alcohol be?
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine studies the relationship between alcohol and health outcomes. Its most recent report says that drinking moderately may have health benefits. However, several other recent studies have shown consuming alcohol could raise your risk of certain types of cancer.