Wine Is Fine But Alcohol With Diet Soda Is Quicker

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Feb 7, 2013 9:20PM

You may want to consider ordering a cocktail mixed with a diet soda the next time you plan a bender. A new study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information showed people who drank alcohol with a diet mixer had a higher breath alcohol content than those who drank alcohol with a regular mixer.

“Tequila and Squirt, please?” No you look very sad. How about a tequila and Diet Squirt?

The study used three samples done in random order: Vodka and Squirt; vodka and Diet Squirt; and a placebo. Using a cued go/no-go reaction time test, participants in the study reported their levels of intoxication, impairment, fatigue and willingness to get behind the wheel of a car.

The results showed the peak breath alcohol content for the vodka/Diet Squirt combo was 0.091 g/210 L, 18 percent higher than the vodka/Squirt combo. Subjects in the study said they felt as drunk drinking the diet cocktail than the sugary counterparts.

Researchers believe the reason for the readings is because digesting sugars allows alcohol to enter the bloodstream at a slower pace. When drinking diet sodas, the alcohol is released into the bloodstream sooner.

The American Beverage Association, the main lobby for the soft drink industry, reminded CBS News the main reason for the results was alcohol.

"This paper, which looks at only 16 people, does not show that mixing diet soft drinks with alcohol causes increased intoxication," the ABA told CBSNews.com in a statement. "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."