Tag Archives: Drinking

It pays to be straight…

A PhD study carried out in three pubs by students from Bristol University looked the effect of straight and curved glasses on beer consumption in three pubs over two weekends. And guess what?

Excessive alcohol drinking is a major public health concern and anything that can help control alcohol intake attracts interest – even a PhD study carried out in three pubs by students from Bristol University.

They studied the effect of straight and curved glasses on beer consumption in three pubs over two weekends. The pubs using straight-sided glasses reported lower takings, indicating less consumption. This was consistent with previous laboratory findings that showed participants drunk at a slower rate from straight glasses.

They also found that people given beer in a glass showing measurements of a quarter, half and three quarters had slower drinking times (10.3 mins) compared to the non-marked group (9.1 mins).

With a pint of beer (4.0%) providing 2.3 units of alcohol and 183 calories, anything that encourages moderation helps… Remember men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units a day, and women 2-3 units. Your pharmacist can give you more advice if you need it.

Energy drink or health hazard?

Last year the World Health Organization branded energy drinks as a “danger to public health”. Caffeine is the most common stimulant in these drinks, but some brands contain other stimulants, such as guarana and ginseng.

Think before you drink…

The amount of caffeine in an energy drink can range from 80 mg to over 500 mg: a cup of coffee contains around 100 mg. Like other fizzy drinks, energy drinks are high in sugar. A 250 ml can of Red Bull, for example, contains around 27.5g.

Caffeine enters the bloodstream within 10 minutes of consuming the drink and peaks over the next 15-45 minutes, triggering a rise in heart rate and blood pressure. Within an hour, the effects of the caffeine will begin to subside and a sugar crash may occur. Energy levels will begin to feel low and tiredness will set in.

Individuals who consume energy drinks regularly may experience caffeine withdrawal in the 12-24 hours after consumption, which includes symptoms such as headache, irritability and constipation. Think before you drink….