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Whole Foods Founder John Mackey Ditched Alcohol Thanks to This Popular Gadget (That You Might Already Have)

 Written by 

Julien Raby

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At 71, Whole Foods founder John Mackey says he’s never felt better—and he credits a life-changing decision he made in January 2022: quitting alcohol. 

In a recent interview with Business Insider, Mackey shared how data from his Apple Watch revealed just how much drinking was impacting his sleep and overall well-being.

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“I wish I’d stopped drinking 30 years ago,” he said. “That’s 30 years of feeling good that I let go past.”

How Sleep Tracking Changed Everything

Mackey explained that he began using his Apple Watch to track his sleep and noticed striking patterns. Some nights, he slept well; on others, his rest was disrupted. Curious about the cause, he started analyzing the habits that coincided with poor sleep.

“I started to ask the question, ‘Well, what did I do differently when I didn’t sleep well?’” Mackey told Business Insider.

His experiment revealed three key factors that directly influenced his rest:

  • Exercise: Days with more physical activity led to better sleep quality.
  • Late-night meals: Eating heavy meals close to bedtime often resulted in disrupted rest.
  • Alcohol consumption: Even small amounts of alcohol wiped out his deep sleep entirely.

The effects of alcohol were particularly eye-opening. Mackey, who enjoyed a glass of wine or beer a few times a week, noticed his total sleep time dropped by about an hour when he drank. Over time, the data consistently showed that alcohol was the biggest disruptor.

“I like drinking alcohol, so I didn’t want to give it up,” he admitted. “But I did the experiment over and over again, and I got the same results.”

Once he stopped drinking, the benefits were immediate. His sleep improved across the board, and he found himself feeling refreshed and more productive throughout the day.

What Happens to Sleep When You Drink?

Mackey’s experience aligns with what research has shown about alcohol and sleep. Studies reveal that drinking alcohol can block REM sleep—the stage critical for learning, memory consolidation, and emotional processing. Alcohol also disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm and can exacerbate breathing problems, such as snoring or sleep apnea.

Mackey referred to days after drinking as “throwaway days,” where he could function but didn’t feel his best.

“You can get through the day, you can do your work, but you kind of don’t feel good,” he said. “I don’t have those anymore.”

The Power of Tracking Health Metrics

Mackey’s decision to quit drinking is part of a broader philosophy he’s adopted in recent years: using data to make informed choices about health. For years, he has tracked metrics like his steps, pulse rate, and blood pressure.

He believes that awareness is the first step to change.

“Once you know that you’re off track, you can begin to make changes,” he explained. “And then you can monitor with wearables and additional testing to see how your progress is going.”

This increased consciousness, he said, has led to steady improvements in his health habits.

A New Mission: Transforming Healthcare

After decades of encouraging Americans to make better food choices through Whole Foods, Mackey is now setting his sights on the healthcare system. In the summer of 2023, he launched a new wellness venture called Love.Life, a holistic health and wellness club in Los Angeles.

The 45,000-square-foot flagship location combines diagnostic testing, physician appointments, fitness facilities, and spa services. Members can also access unique offerings like acupuncture and pickleball.

With memberships starting at $790 a month, Mackey hopes Love.Life will help people take a proactive approach to their health.

“The diseases that kill us today aren’t really infectious diseases,” he told Business Insider. “They’re chronic diseases—heart disease, cancer, obesity, stroke, type 2 diabetes, a lot of autoimmune diseases. These are all chronic diseases that take years to develop.”

He argued that many doctors rely too heavily on pharmaceuticals to manage symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of these conditions.

“We now have the technology to do tests, figure out your baseline, and create personalized plans to help you become the healthiest version of yourself,” he said.

Living Healthier at 71

For Mackey, quitting alcohol was just one part of a larger commitment to optimizing his health. Now, he’s encouraging others to take a closer look at their habits and how they affect their well-being.

“Consciousness does change things,” he said. “And once you have that awareness, you can make better decisions for yourself.”

At 71, Mackey says he feels healthier, more energetic, and more productive than ever. And he hopes to inspire others to take control of their health—whether through a smartwatch, a wellness club, or simply by taking that first step.

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