News Releases & Statements

Beverage Industry Responds to Paper on Diet Soft Drinks and Alcohol

In response to “Artificial Sweeteners Versus Regular Mixers Increase Breath Alcohol Concentrations in Male and Female Social Drinkers,” a paper appearing in the April issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:

Statement:

“This paper, which looks at only 16 people, does not show that mixing diet soft drinks with alcohol causes increased intoxication. Rather, it simply supports the long known fact that consuming calories - from any food or beverage - along with alcohol slows down its impact.  If the study participants consumed alcohol with any other non-caloric beverage, including water or even club soda, the results would be the same. Most importantly, consumers need to be aware of the effects of alcohol itself – regardless of whether or not they consume it together with anything else.”

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The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.

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