For the study, 16 casual drinkers knocked back one of three drinks: vodka mixed with sugary soda, vodka mixed with sugar-free soda, or a placebo. Over three different sessions, each participant got each drink. After the drink, the subjects were given breathalyzer tests and reaction time measurements. Participants also did a self-assessment where they estimated their own drunkenness, tiredness and willingness to drive.
When both men and women drank vodka with the diet mixer, their breath alcohol levels were on average 18 percent higher than when they consumed the alcohol with full-calorie soda. And their reaction times were slower.
Although a diet mixer impaired the subjects more, they rated themselves as not being any drunker. So if you're watching your weight, watch out for what you drink.
—Sophie Bushwick
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast]
