A Way to Reduce Alcohol Consumption at Once Has Been Discovered. It Is Effective for Wine 0 5

While some specialists are researching which alcohol may be beneficial for health, others confidently assert that there is no safe dose of alcohol. In this regard, they are looking for ways to reduce its consumption. The most obvious option is complete abstinence. However, many will find it difficult to give up a long-standing habit, so it is useful to know at least one scientifically grounded method.

For example, in the United States, from 2015 to 2019, excessive alcohol consumption was the cause of death for one in eight people aged 20 to 64.

Scientists, concerned about this situation, are constantly searching for ways to reduce alcohol consumption among the population. In a new study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, they share one such method.

A team of British scientists focused on previous studies that showed that various factors, including advertising and the size of glassware, influence the level of alcohol consumption. They decided to test whether the volume of servings in bars and pubs could affect consumption. To do this, they partnered with 21 drinking establishments that agreed to remove the largest wine serving by the glass (usually 250 milliliters) from the menu for four weeks. Why wine? It is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the UK and Europe, so the researchers considered it a suitable 'subject' for the study.

After four weeks, the researchers found that wine lovers did not try to compensate for the reduced volume by drinking more glasses, and ultimately drank less than usual. Sales of beer and cider also did not increase, suggesting that wine lovers were not 'catching up' with other drinks. After accounting for various factors, the team discovered that wine consumption in each pub decreased by an average of 420 milliliters per day, or by 7.6%. Only a few (very rare) customers expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced portion, while most adapted to the changes calmly.

In terms of short-term effects, aside from people drinking less, drinking establishments began to earn more, as they received higher profits from smaller portions. However, in the long term, according to the researchers, implementing such an initiative on a broader scale is impossible — it is unprofitable for the alcohol industry.

As one piece of evidence for their opinion, they cite the example of beer. Before the wine experiment, the researchers proposed to conduct a similar campaign to reduce portions in nearly two thousand pubs, bars, and restaurants, but no establishment agreed to participate in this initiative. Beer lovers will notice even a 50-gram change in volume, and they certainly know how to drink beer in a way that is beneficial for the gut.