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Scientists say tracking your alcohol consumption on an app could help you reduce your alcohol consumption by two units per week.
UCL researchers said their Drink Less app, which is available to download for free on Apple devices, can help people who are high-risk drinkers.
Their study, which involved more than 5,000 people, found that those randomly advised to use the Drink Less app reduced their alcohol consumption by 39 units per week at six months.
This equated to two fewer units per week on average compared to a control group who were referred to standard NHS counselling.
According to the research, women were found to benefit more from the app, many of whom reduced their alcohol consumption by an additional 2.5 units per week, compared to those who were referred to the NHS advice website.
UCL researchers said their Drink Less app, which is available to download for free on Apple devices, can help people who are high-risk drinkers (File image)
Experts said that while two additional units per week may seem small, the results can be significant, “both in terms of preventing potential harm to health and reducing costs for the NHS.”
Lead author Dr Melissa Oldham, from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, said: “Alcohol consumption can lead to many health conditions, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
“Approximately 20 per cent of the adult population in the UK drink alcohol at levels that increase their risk of poor health and the Drink Less app could help these people reduce this.”
The NHS recommends that people drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread over three days or more. This is equivalent to about six medium glasses (175 ml) of wine, or six pints of 4% beer.