Designated Drivers Often Drink Themselves, Study Finds

While most abstained, 35 percent had alcohol in bloodstreams and some were legally drunk

By Randy Dotinga

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, June 10 (HealthDay News) -- Having a designated driver sounds like a great idea, but a new study found that more than one-third of those who were supposed to drive their pals home safely had been boozing it up themselves.

And some were legally drunk.

The study has limitations that prevent it from being definitive, and researchers aren't sure how much danger lurks in designated drivers who have a drink or two. But the message is clear, said study author Adam Barry, an assistant professor at the University of Florida: Some designated drivers are drinking when they should be abstaining.

"While more of the designated drivers didn't drink than did drink, which is a good thing, you have people being selected because they're the least drunk, or the least intoxicated or they've driven drunk before," Barry said. "The only real safe option is to completely abstain."

The researchers, all from the University of Florida, Gainesville, went to an unidentified college-area town and talked to almost 1,100 bar patrons, mostly white, male and college-aged. They then gave blood alcohol tests to 165 people who said they were serving as designated drivers -- those who are expected to take care of driving their friends home so the others can drink.

Sixty-five percent, or 108, of the designated drivers had zero alcohol in their systems. Another 17 percent, or 28, had a blood alcohol level of between 0.02 and 0.049 (grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath). And 18 percent, or 29, were at 0.05 or more; the legal limit is 0.08 or higher.

It's not clear how many of the designated drivers actually drove after taking the blood alcohol tests, nor do researchers know if they were able to sober up before driving.

The researchers also didn't examine how many of the designated drivers were legally drunk at 0.08 or higher. Barry said the researchers chose to look at those above 0.05 because experts think drivers are significantly impaired at that level; some public health advocates want to lower the legal level for driving to 0.05.

People can be arrested for driving while intoxicated at levels under 0.08, but they must show signs that they're impaired.

Why does it matter if designated drivers have had only a bit of alcohol? Barry said they may have more trouble handling the task of driving with boozed-up passengers: "You've got roughhousing, unruly passengers, music -- so many competing factors on top of your ability to process information and brake and steer effectively," he explained.

Is it realistic to expect designated drivers to not drink at all? James Lange, an alcohol researcher and coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Initiatives at San Diego State University, said it is.

Because people's alcohol tolerance varies, "it would be difficult for me to make a blanket statement that a certain amount is OK," Lange said. "The easiest recommendation is that they don't drink at all."

E. Scott Geller, a professor who studies alcohol use at Virginia Tech, suggested that "we should not trust a designated driver to be sober." Instead, he said, there should be ways to guarantee that they don't drink, such as providing rewards at a party or bar if blood alcohol tests shows they've abstained.

The study appears in the July issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

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Drink& snacks ideas?

Hey!

I'm looking to replace some of the water I drink with caloric drinks because hey, any chance to easily sneak some calories is in is awesome! Right now I drink one of those Silk Soy Milk Very Vanilla flavored boxes, the shelf stable ones you buy that are single serve with a straw. I love them! They're delicious and fun to drink. I'd like to add more things like that. Im not talking about the Ensure/fortisip kind of drink, something more along the lines of the milks. I am dairy free so I can't have regular milk. Any ideas? Also, I reallllly don't like nut butters, and I know how recommended they are for a calorie dense snack. I've tried to make myself like them but I just don't. Other than nut butters or ensure type drinks, does anyone have some ideas for calorie dense snacks? I feel like I eat constantly, I love my food, but I need more calories and there's just not that many hours in the day to eat haha.

Thanks! Love these forums :) Abby

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Diet Drink For Weight Loss: 10 Things You Should Drink For Losing Weight

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No matter how busy an individual stays; he should find time to make sure that he is in good health. There is no use of money or anything else; if a person is not healthy. Health is wealth. It is not just a saying but it is the truth. There are a large number of people who have more weight than they should have. Such people are called obese. Such people do various efforts to lose their excess weight. It is very easy to put on weight but it is very difficult to reduce it.

There are a large number of exercises and diet plans which are followed by people to reduce weight. If you wish to know about Diet Drinks for Weight Loss then you should read on. Following are some of the best Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

Drinking ice cold water is a very simple way to burn calories. It is very effective for weight loss. When people drink ice cold water then their bodies need to work on bringing back the body temperature to normal. This process requires calories to be burnt. You will be happy to know that around 250 to 500 calories can be burned by drinking eight to ten glasses of chilled water every day.

People who love to drink milk will be happy to know that drinking fat free milk helps in weight loss. Milk is a very good source of calcium and it helps in breaking down the fat in cells. It does not mean that people should drink lot of milk every day. Just by drinking 2 or 3 glasses of milk every day, people can expect to reduce their weight. Milk is certainly one of the best Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

The weight loss benefits of green tea are known to a large number of people. Green tea is one of the best Diet Drinks for Weight Loss. It contains a large number of antioxidants which helps in burning the fat present in the body. Green tea also boosts the metabolism rate in the body. Green tea is considered one of the most effective Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

People who drink whey protein eat less because it causes the release of such hormones in the body which suppresses the hunger. Many studies have shown that whey protein helps people to avoid overeating. Whey protein is considered one of the best Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

People who wish to reduce their weight should drink vegetable juice. Some studies have proved that people who drink vegetable juice consume lesser number of calories than those people who do not drink vegetable juice. Therefore, vegetable juice is included in the list of Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

People who wish to lose their excess weight should drink coconut water because it increases the rate of metabolism in the body. People feel more active after drinking coconut water as it gives them energy. Coconut water is considered as one of the best Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

People who love smoothies should drink yogurt based smoothies. As these smoothies are quite thick and they have calcium, you will not feel hungry after having these and you will be able to break down fat present in your body. Such smoothies are always found in the list of Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

All people drink water but those people who wish to lose weight should drink more water. Drinking more water keeps the body hydrated all the time and it also suppresses the hunger. Having water before meals help people to avoid overeating. Water is certainly one of the most easily available Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

People who wish to lose weight can start drinking meal replacement shakes like pineapple meal replacement shake or banana-milk meal replacement shake. These shakes are included in the list of most effective Diet Drinks for Weight Loss.

People who are overweight are benefited a lot by protein shakes. Protein shakes help people in reducing their weight. Protein is very essential to burn fat in the body. The more protein one consumes, the better it is for weight loss. There are various kinds of protein powder flavors available in the market.

According to your taste, you can make a protein shake for yourself. You can search the internet for getting the recipes for some of the best protein shakes. Protein shakes are believed to be one of the best Diet Drinks for Weight Loss. A lot of people have lost significant weight by drinking protein shakes.

Related posts:

List Of Meal Replacement Shakes For Weight LossLemon Juice diet for losing weightTop 10 Smoothie Recipes for Weight LossHow to drink more waterAn exclusive weight loss plan – Medifast diet plan

Brad has written 433 articles .

If you like This post, you can follow Weight Loss Points on Twitter.

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View the original article here

Diet drink for Weight Loss: 10 things you should drink for losing weight

No matter how busy remains an individual; He should find time to ensure he is in good health. There is no use of money or something else; If a person is not healthy. Health is wealth. It is not only the saying, but it is the truth. There are a large number of people who have more weight than they should have. Such people are called obese. Such people do various efforts to lose their excess weight. It is very easy to put on weight, but it is very difficult to reduce it.

There are a large number of exercises and diet plans that are followed by people to reduce weight. If you want to know about drinks diet for weight loss than you must read on. below are some of the best drinks diet for weight loss.

Ice cold water drinking is a very simple way to burn calories. It is very effective for weight loss. When people drink ice cold water than their body must work on the body temperature back to normal. This process requires calories to be burned. You'll be glad to know that approximately 250 to 500 calories can be burned by drinking eight to ten glasses of chilled water every day.

People who love to drink milk will be happy to know that fat free milk drink helps in weight loss. Milk is a very good source of calcium and it helps in breaking down the fat in the cells. It does not mean that people should drink a lot of milk every day. Drink only by 2 or 3 glasses of milk every day, people can expect to reduce their weight. Milk is definitely one of the best drinks diet for weight loss.

The weight-loss benefits of green tea is well known that a large number of people. Green tea is one of the best drinks diet for weight loss. It contains a large number of antioxidants that helps burn the fat present in the body. Green tea also increases the metabolism rate in the body. Green tea is considered one of the most effective drinks diet for weight loss.

People who drink whey protein eat less because the releasing of such hormones in the body that causes hunger suppressed. Many studies have shown that whey protein helps people to avoid overeating. Whey protein is considered one of the best drinks diet for weight loss.

People who wish to reduce their weight must drink vegetable juice. Some studies have shown that people who consume fewer calories than drinking vegetable juice that people who don't drink vegetable juice. Vegetable juice is therefore included in the list of beverages diet for Weight Loss.

People who wish to lose their excess weight should drink coconut water, because it increases the rate of metabolism in the body. People feel more active after drinking coconut water as it gives them energy. Coconut water is considered one of the best drinks diet for weight loss.

People who love smoothies should drink yoghurt based smoothies. If these smoothies are quite thick and they have calcium, you will not be hungry after this and you will be able to break down fat present in your body. These smoothies are always found in the list of beverages diet for weight loss.

All people drink water, but those who want to lose weight should drink more water. Drink more water keeps the body hydrated all the time and it also suppresses hunger. Considering water before meals help people to avoid overeating. Water is certainly one of the most readily available drinks diet for weight loss.

People who wish to lose weight drinking meal replacement shakes can begin as pineapple or banana-milkshake meal replacement shake meal replacement. These shakes are included in the list of the most effective diet drinks for weight loss.

Overweight people are much benefited by protein shakes. Protein shakes help people in reducing their weight. Protein is very essential to burn fat in the body. The more consumed a protein, the better it is for weight loss. There are different types of protein powder flavors available in the market.

According to your taste, you can add a protein shake for yourself. You can search the internet for getting the recipes for some of the best protein shakes. Protein shakes are assumed to be one of the best drinks diet for weight loss. A lot of people have lost considerable weight by drinking protein shakes.

Related posts:

List of meal replacement shakes for weight lose weightTop LossLemon JUICE diet for 10 Smoothie Recipes for weight LossHow to drink more waterAn exclusive weight loss plan – Medifast diet plan

Brad has 430 articles written.

If you liked this post, you can follow on Twitterweight loss points.

Subscribe to weight loss points feed via RSS or email to receive instant updates.

View the original article here