"Low sugar" alcoholic drinks warning
Women are being lured into a false sense of security by alcoholic drinks labelled as low sugar, with some believing they contain less alcohol and are healthier compared to regular booze.
News.com.au reports a study by Cancer Council Victoria and Melbourne University found people were less likely to adjust their diets to accommodate for the extra calories the alcoholic drinks brought on.
“Such claims have the potential to create a ‘health halo’, misleading consumers to perceive such products as healthier than other options, which may increase consumption,” the report’s authors claim.
The website reported that “health halo” saw consumers generalise the drinks’ low sugar content with other attributes like lower calories and alcohol, leading them to think they are healthier and less harmful, according to the report.
“Participants who viewed low sugar claims were significantly less likely to intend to compensate for calories in these low sugar products by modifying their food intake or physical activity,” the report said.
Read the full report here.
Photo: Wil Stewart/Unsplash
