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THE SHAPE OF the glass a person drinks alcohol from could have an impact on how quickly they drink it, according to a new study by the University of Bristol.
Researchers recruited 160 social drinkers aged 18-40 with no history of alcoholism to attend two experimental sessions. At one session they were asked to drink either lager or a non-alcoholic soft drink from either a straight-sided glass or a curved ‘beer flute’.
The study, published in PLoS ONE showed people were almost twice as slow when drinking alcohol from the straight-sided glass compared to the curved glass. There was no difference in drinking rates from the glasses when the beverage was non-alcoholic.
The researchers have suggested the reason for the difference in drinking speed may be that it is more difficult to accurately judge the halfway point of curved glasses and therefore drinkers are less able to gauge how much they have consumed.
The second session involved showing participants pictures on a computer screen of the two types of glasses with varying volumes of liquid in them. When asked whether a glass was more or less than half full, people found it more difficult to judge the halfway point of the curved glass.
Interestingly, the degree of judgement error seemed to be associated with drinking speed as participants who showed the greatest difficulty in halfway judgement also showed the greatest changes in drinking rate.
Lead researcher at the University of Bristol, Dr Angela Attwood said while many people drink alcohol responsibly, it is not difficult to have “one too many” and become intoxicated.
“People often talk of ‘pacing themselves’ when drinking alcohol as a means of controlling levels of drunkenness, and I think the important point to take from our research is that the ability to pace effectively may be compromised when drinking from certain types of glasses,” she said.
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I know this isn’t a good thing to say anymore, but isn’t the whole point of drinking alcohol to get intoxicated? If you want to avoid “accidentally” being intoxicated, surely it is wiser to drink something non-alcoholic rather than insisting on a straight glass?
Is it bad to drink wine directly from the box?
only if you’re using a straw
……Ah..hahaha!
Now I know where I’m going wrong. Drinking the old red vino pita brown paper bag’s definitely not helping !
…..love it…..
I like drinking from the furry cup …..
Comment of the week, but I don’t think it will make Comments of the Week.
…..Wa.ho!… Muff diver!?
We all know someone who’s drinking rate is astounding and getting into a round with him is akin to throwing buns at an elephant, next time I’m with him I’ll whisper to the barman to serve him in nothing but straight glasses.
I’d drink half a pint in half the time I’d drink a pint, now I know why.
Money well spent!
Pointless.
Comment of the week.
Does that study refer only to beer, or is the same true for wine and spirits
Hi Eon,
The study was only done with beer and soft drinks but with both it seemed the glass shape determined the drinking speed.
The marketers got in there first with the design. Way ahead of the scientists!
Off course,Yeah..mmm.. that’s why I keep getting elephants after a night out it all makes sense now.
If it’s in a glass I’ll drink it-simple as!!
How about off a scabbie leg? ..lol!
My Uncle drinks from the bottle.
“Interestingly, the degree of judgement error seemed to be associated with drinking speed as participants who showed the greatest difficulty in halfway?judgement?also showed the greatest changes in drinking rate.”
No sh*t, Sherlock!
Aparently optimists have a difficulty in judging when a glass of any shape is half empty while pessimists can’t tell when a glass is half full. Therefore optimists tend to see the world through rosae
(sorry no French keyboard) coloured glasses more often..
“I think the important point to take from our research is that the ability to pace effectively may be compromised when drinking from certain types of glasses,” Point one: count your drinks by the amount of full glasses consumed and compare it to time on clock and above all KISS! (Keep It Simple Stupid)
Point two: I wonder what controls were put in place to sort out the glass half empty people from the glass half full people!
Sample size is way to small to infer a solid outcome !! The title really should read “glass shape MAY influence how fast we drink alcohol” . As the study itself says more research really needs to be carried out especially as it was carried out using and experimental design !! Should probably be highlighted to readers !!
Hardly revolutionary findings . This has been know for centuries
I’d much rather see a bit of research in whether people would notice the difference between a pint in a pint glass and a half-litre in a half-litre glass. Would it feel too light in the hand? Would it look too small? Mmm.. Thirsty now.
crap
nice article! http://www.aventadoor.blogspot.com/
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