Alcohol consumption is outdated

To celebrate, some drinks.

To ease a failure or frustration, also some drinks.

Alcohol consumption is widely used in almost all cultures. In some countries, they prefer distilled liquids like vodka or tequila, in others, fermented beer reigns, and in Mediterranean lands, elegant wine that ages underground always wins.

But it turns out that its historical appeal is starting to lose preference.

For several months now, in my closest social circle, alcohol has been voluntarily abandoned, either due to a dietary plan, training, or simply because recovery becomes increasingly difficult even with moderate consumption.

On a broader spectrum, you only need to check the shelves of any store to see the huge presence of non-alcoholic beers or even the recent boost of booze-free brands used in the new mixology.

Is this perception or reality?

Well, it is. I started to investigate statistics to validate this idea.

According to Gallup, in the United States, indeed, alcohol consumption among the population aged 18 to 34 is clearly on the decline. In two decades, the population declaring frequent alcohol consumption has reduced by 10%. For those over 55, the trend is the opposite, rising by 4 points to the point where 7 out of 10 people now declare themselves regular drinkers.

What could be the causes of this unusual and counterintuitive decline in alcohol consumption?

I enjoy a beer or a cold rum and coke. Almost always during the weekend, although I might have one or two beers if the occasion calls for it during the week. I don't feel uncomfortable with my consumption, but perhaps I should drink less for health and performance reasons.

Alcohol dehydrates the body and affects the brain and liver, primarily. That is to say, there is no justifiable reason to drink alcohol, except for the "pleasurable" effects you might feel when socializing with friends or family at a party or simply pairing it with what you enjoy the most.

I will dare to speculate about some reasons that justify the decline in alcohol consumption.

1.-The agenda gained by the new gender culture indirectly affects alcohol consumption because stereotypes are gradually fading away, and what used to be normalized and cool no longer is. Alcohol makes women more vulnerable than men in a social context... especially among the youth.

2.-Younger generations are more conscious of their diet and, therefore, their health. They know that alcohol takes away everything they want to gain to look, feel, and even think better. The recent boom in nootropics for addressing mental health issues or enhancing cognitive capacity also directly competes with alcohol because its consumption interacts with the benefits of these protocols.

3.- The competition from other "social mixers" like drugs of various kinds competes with the available entertainment budget. The disinhibiting effect of these drugs is more effective, cheaper, and... calorie-free.

4.-A fourth reason that may help understand the declining popularity of alcohol is that social media does not reward alcohol consumption in any of its forms. If you've spent time browsing Instagram or TikTok lately, I challenge you to find content about alcoholic beverages. Maybe it's just my algorithm, but I hardly see it anymore.

Undoubtedly, this trend can be extrapolated to almost all Western communities and can be viewed positively. Alcohol consumption, without a doubt, has zero benefits except one: the superpower of helping to build social relationships and foster unforgettable conversations with friends and familiars.

In a context where the way of relating is changing from what it used to be, the decline in alcohol consumption can be celebrated but.. ¿should also concern us?

¡Vamos Carajo!

Fran Michavila