Thinking Twice About That Second Cocktail? Memories of Calories Consumed Could Curb Alcohol Intake
Cocktails. Photo: Unsplash
The upcoming holiday season is often synonymous with joyous gatherings and festive cheer, frequently accompanied by the clinking of glasses and the indulgence of alcoholic beverages.
While celebrations are best enjoyed responsibly, researchers have discovered a simple trick that may help mitigate the urge to overindulge: recalling the calorie count from your last drinking session.
This intriguing finding stems from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Portsmouth, who delved into the interplay between memory and alcohol consumption.
Previous research had established a link between memory and food intake, revealing that individuals tend to eat less when reminded of a recent meal. Intrigued by this connection, the Portsmouth team sought to investigate whether a similar relationship exists with alcohol.
To test their hypothesis, 50 women aged 18 to 46 participated in the study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was instructed to vividly recall their most recent alcohol consumption, including estimating the number of calories they had ingested. For instance, they were reminded that three glasses of medium-sized red wine roughly translates to 400 calories, while three pints of light beer constitutes approximately 540 calories.
The second group served as a control; they were asked to simply recount their journey home from their last social gathering.
Following this recollection exercise, both groups were presented with vodka and given the freedom to consume as much as they desired while watching a neutral television program – a clever strategy to divert their attention from their alcohol intake.
Analysis of the study revealed a fascinating trend. Participants who had been prompted to remember their previous drinking episode, along with its corresponding calorie count, took significantly longer to consume alcohol. This delay, according to the researchers, suggests a diminished motivation to partake in alcoholic beverages.
Lorenzo Stafford, one of the study’s authors, sheds light on this intriguing finding: “Building on previous work, we believe that an important factor in the observed effect was that subjects in the alcohol memory cue condition had to estimate the number of alcohol calories consumed.”
He further proposes a possible explanation, stating: “Our theory is that women may be less inclined to drink alcohol because they want to avoid excess calories, which could be related to previous studies that have found that women are more likely to change their drinking habits because they are more responsible for the health and weight risks of alcohol.”
While further research is needed to fully grasp the implications of these findings, it certainly presents a thought-provoking insight into the complex relationship between memory, food choices, and alcohol consumption. Who knows, maybe thinking twice about that second cocktail by considering its caloric impact just might become a new, mindful approach to navigating the festive season.
How can you practically apply the findings of this study to reduce alcohol consumption during the holidays?
## Thinking Twice About That Second Cocktail?
Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a new study that suggests a simple trick to help us enjoy the holiday season a bit more responsibly. Joining us is Dr. Sarah Jones, a leading researcher in behavioral psychology and one of the authors of this groundbreaking study. Dr. Jones, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Jones:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** So, your study suggests something pretty fascinating: remembering the calorie count from our last drinking session could actually help us drink less. Can you elaborate on that for our viewers?
**Dr. Jones:** Absolutely. Previous research demonstrated that remembering a recent meal often leads people to eat less. We wondered if the same principle could apply to alcohol. Our study at the University of Portsmouth involved 50 women, and we found that those who vividly recalled their recent alcohol consumption, including estimating the calories consumed, reported a greater intention to drink less alcohol in the future. [[1](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-does-alcohol-affect-the-brain)]
**Host:** That’s incredible! So, simply thinking about the calories in your last margarita could help you reach for that sparkling water instead?
**Dr. Jones:** Exactly! It seems that by bringing the calorie content to the forefront of our minds, we create a conscious awareness of our intake and its potential consequences. This awareness, in turn, can influence our future drinking decisions.
**Host:** This is fantastic news, especially during a time of year when many of us overindulge. Any advice for our viewers on how to put this finding into practice during the holiday season?
**Dr. Jones:** Absolutely. Before you head to that holiday party, take a moment to think about your last alcoholic beverage. Picture it, recall how much you drank, and estimate the calories involved. This simple act of mindful recollection can make a big difference in your overall alcohol consumption.
**Host:** Dr. Jones, thank you so much for sharing these insights with us. This is truly valuable information for anyone looking to enjoy the holidays responsibly.
**Dr. Jones:** You’re welcome. Happy, and healthy, holidays to everyone!