Over drinking during lockdown

Research has shown that one in five drinkers (21% – approximately 8.6 million of us) have been drinking more frequently since the UK lockdown began. There has also been a 67% increase in alcohol sales since lockdown restrictions were imposed.

Almost a third (30%) of those who drink alcohol in an average week say they have yet to try a low alcohol product as an alternative, and 13% of all adults do not recall seeing a low alcohol option available for sale anywhere.

As well as this, the 10% of drinkers who admitted to trying a low alcohol alternative said they would only do so if there was no other option available or they intended to drive.

Drinking high volumes of alcohol is not only bad for our budget, it is affecting our waist lines. Almost half of Brits (47%) say they have put on weight since lockdown began in March and as lockdown eases and the pubs and restaurants re-open, it is unlikely that high levels of alcohol consumption will drop.

Aston spoke to James Grundy, co founder of The Small Beer Brew Co to discuss the research in further detail and talk more about the benefits of choosing something a little lighter.

Photo by radovan on Unsplash