Differences in the effectiveness of nonalcoholic beverage provision in reducing alcohol consumption depending on the degree of problem drinking

Tsukuba, Japan—Dealing with excessive alcohol consumption is a global challenge and is included in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One measure to reduce excessive alcohol consumption is the use of alcohol-tasting beverages, the so-called nonalcoholic beverages. The research team has found that providing nonalcoholic beverages to people aged ≥20 years, excluding alcoholics and others, significantly reduces the amount of alcohol consumed. However, providing nonalcoholic beverages to people with significant drinking problems may increase their desire to drink, which may increase their alcohol consumption. Therefore, this study focused on the effect of providing nonalcoholic beverages on the amount of alcohol consumed, as determined by the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT), on the magnitude of problem drinking.

A total of 123 adults aged 20 years, excluding patients with alcohol dependence, were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group, and the intervention group was offered nonalcoholic beverages for 12 weeks. The intervention group had a greater reduction in alcohol consumption than the control group in groups with AUDIT scores of ≤7, 8-11, 12-14, and ≥15. However, the intervention did not reduce alcohol consumption in groups with scores of ≥15. In addition, the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in average alcohol consumption in the 12-14 and ≥15 groups than in the ≤7 group. Neither group showed an increase in alcohol consumption after the provision of nonalcoholic beverages.

These findings indicate that the provision of nonalcoholic beverages has significant effects on reducing alcohol consumption in mild drinking problem cases. However, in severe cases, a combination of other effective approaches, such as counseling by medical professionals and the provision of nonalcoholic beverages, is necessary.

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This study was conducted jointly with Asahi Breweries, Ltd., which provided funding.

_{Original Paper}

Title of original paper:
The effectiveness of reduction in alcohol consumption achieved by the provision of non-alcoholic beverages associates with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Journal:
BMC Medicine

DOI:
10.1186/s12916-024-03641-3

_{Correspondence}

Associate Professor YOSHIMOTO, Hisashi 
Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba / Director of R&D Center for Lifestyle Innovation, University of Tsukuba

Assistant Professor DOBASHI, Shohei
Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba / R&D Center for Lifestyle Innovation, University of Tsukuba

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Institute of Medicine

Institute of Health and Sport Sciences