Dry January, Sober October are efforts to bring attention to the not-so-healthy aspects of alcohol. Addiction, impaired judgment and driving after drinking are major health concerns, but there are less obvious health problems, too.

Persistent alcohol consumption is linked to higher risk of cancers of the head, neck, esophagus, liver, colon/rectum and breast. Excess alcohol intake can weaken your immune system, and alcohol significantly impairs sleep. Some people use alcohol to help them fall asleep, but consuming alcohol in the evening interrupts sleep by interfering with circadian rhythms and by causing nighttime trips to the bathroom. It also interferes with REM sleep, which is important for feeling rested in the morning.

Maybe you drank more alcohol than usual over the holidays, or maybe you just want a reset and would like to avoid alcohol for a while. This Pomegranate Citrus Mocktail is a nice alternative to an alcoholic drink. Pomegranate is high in antioxidants (juice, however, lacks the valuable fiber of the whole fruit, so don’t have too much).

Ingredients

2 ounces pomegranate juice

1 ounce orange juice

½ ounce lime juice

2 ounces sparkling or seltzer water

Orange or lime slices and/or pomegranate seeds, for garnish

Instructions

Pour juice into an 8-ounce glass with ice; stir. Top with the seltzer and garnish.