New app helps track alcohol intake

Drinkaware has launched a smartphone app designed to help people monitor their alcohol consumption and set goals to cut back if necessary.

The alcohol education charity’s free app, which has been made available initially via iPhone, contains an “extensive database” of drinks brands, enabling people to keep an accurate record of how much a they are drinking.

For those who decide to set a goal of more moderate drinking, the system offers “customised feedback” on their progress, complete with graphs to show daily, weekly or monthly alcohol consumption in relation to health risk levels set out in the UK chief medical officer’s unit guidelines.

The app can also present alcohol intake in terms of the relative calorie intake, providing information on the amount of exercise required to burn off the amount of calories consumed.

In addition to monitoring personal progress, the app can also track an individual user’s behaviour compared to other anonymous users of the device. Meanwhile a location sensor allows the app to offer “extra support” in places identified as “weak spots”, such as the local pub or off-licence.

Introducing the new app, Ben Butler, head of digital at Drinkaware, said: “We know that while lots of people recognise the need to cut back on their alcohol intake, many lack the support to actually make a change.

“This app has been designed to help people change their drinking, by providing support and encouragement in a non-judgemental way at the times and locations people need it the most.

“Our app helps people to make positive changes in their relationship with alcohol, so they can start to enjoy the health benefits of cutting down or giving up.”

For more information or to download the app, click here. An Android version is due to launch in early 2015.