THE NATURAL CHOICE ISSUE 7
T
|
AUTUMN 2018
he latest update from “Trends in Alcohol: A compilation of data from across the UK” shows some interesting shifts in patterns of drinking in the UK, together with a greater understanding of the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
THE OF
OF
NON-DRINKERS
THE
FREQUENT
HAS INCREASED SLIGHTLY FROM 2005
THAT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
DRINKERS FELL FROM 2005 – 2016, MEN
– 2016 (FROM 19% TO 21%). THOSE
HAS NOW DECLINED BY 16%
FROM 22% TO 12% AND WOMEN FROM
THAT DO DRINK ARE DRINKING LESS
SINCE A PEAK IN 2004
13% TO 7%.
AND LESS OFTEN
2005
PERCENTAGE
NUMBERS
HMRC DATA FROM 2017 SHOWS
SINCE 2005 THE LARGEST DECREASES IN “HARMFUL DINKING” HAS BEEN AMONG THOSE AGED 16-24
2018
2005
2018
SURVEY DATA ALSO SHOWS THAT AMONG BOTH MEN AND
THE PROPORTION OF ‘HARMFUL DRINKERS’ (DEFINED AS
WOMEN AND ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS, THE FREQUENCY
MORE THAN 12 UNITS OF ALCOHOL FOR MEN A DAY, OR 9
OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION HAS DECLINED SINCE 2005.
UNITS FOR WOMEN) HAS DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR
THE PROPORTION OF ADULTS ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS
BOTH MEN AND WOMEN SINCE 2005, AND THE LARGEST
WHO DRANK ON 5 OR MORE DAYS DECLINED BY 43%.
DECREASES HAVE BEEN AMONG THOSE AGED 16-24.
NEWS TO SMILE ABOUT… A man walks into…
THERE IS A LONG-HELD fascination in the UK with the emotional effects of alcohol. While a great deal of experimental research has focused on alcohol’s ability to relieve negative emotions, there has been far less focus on the effects on positive emotions. In addition, available research on positive emotion tends to test alcohol while participants are alone. Now, a novel new study published in the US journal, Emotion, aims to address the gap in the literature
by investigating the impact of alcohol on positive emotional experience in a social setting. The researchers used the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) to examine in a large sample the effects of alcohol on response to comedy in a group setting. Over five hundred social drinkers were assembled into groups of three unacquainted persons and administered either a moderate dose of alcohol, a placebo, or a nonalcohol control beverage. Following beverage consumption, groups listened to a 5-minute
comedy clip while their facial expressions were video recorded. More than 5 million frames of video were then FACS-coded (Facial Action Coding System). Results found that alcohol consumption enhanced enjoyment (Duchenne) smiles – but not nonenjoyment social smiles-and elevated mood ratings. The results of the study provide multimodal evidence supporting the ability of alcohol to enhance positive emotional experience delivered in a social context.
EUROPEANS BELIEVE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SHOULD LIST INGREDIENTS JUST LIKE OTHER DRINKS
MODERTATE DRINKING MOVEMENT ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE to practise “mindful drinking” – adopting a healthy and balanced attitude to drinking patterns – is a growing trend in the UK. And, brewing is one of the leading industries involved in the emerging moderate drinking movement. Heineken 0.0 sponsored a recent mindful drinking festival at London’s Spitalfield’s Market organised by mindful drinking group (with over 16,000 members), Club Soda. Jerry Shedden, On-Trade Marketing Director at Heineken, says: “We’ve seen the low and no alcohol beer market grow significantly in the last few years. In fact, we predict a boost of £58m to the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants, over the next three years, if they offer a wider range of low and no alcohol options.”
NUTRITION KNOW-HOW NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION IS increasingly important and valuable to consumers. Alcoholic beverages currently have a voluntary exemption from this requirement.A recent survey1 by GfK of 9,000 adults across 9 countries revealed that 86% of Europeans believe alcoholic beverages should list ingredients just like other drinks, and show nutrition information per 100ml. This is the legal reference set as a minimum requirement under current EU and National labelling regulations and is already used by consumers for comparing other food and non-alcoholic drinks. In recent months, many brewers, including the global and National producers, have reiterated their support for a voluntary commitment to providing ingredients and full nutritional information online and/ or on label as part of a self-regulatory, sectoral approach to the provision of such information for all alcoholic beverages. The Brewers of Europe is committed to transparency in relation to ingredients and nutrition and recently commented; “Today over 70% of beers in the EU list ingredients on the label, whilst an estimated 40% of the beers are already labelling calories, in full conformity with the EU laws and complemented by information on digital platforms, often including the full nutrition declaration.” https://brewersofeurope.org/site/media-centre/post.php?doc_id=958