Researchers from Laval University have discovered that consumers can be misled by the nutritional information on alcoholic beverages, mistakenly believing these products are beneficial for their health. The study emphasized that no amount of alcohol is safe for health.
Lana Vanderlee, a professor at Laval University’s School of Nutrition, highlighted the normalization of alcohol in society, making it challenging to educate consumers on its health effects. In Canada, beverages with less than 0.5% alcohol must display nutrition facts, but those with higher alcohol content are exempt unless a nutrition claim is made.
The presence of a nutrition table on alcohol labels led 3 out of 10 people to perceive them as healthier options, the researchers found. Professor Vanderlee stressed the need for warning labels to communicate alcohol risks effectively, as nutritional information can create a misleading ‘health halo’ effect.
An online survey involving nearly 4,000 participants revealed that labels with nutrition facts tables increased the perception of wine as a healthy choice. However, alcohol remains a significant contributor to health issues, including cancer.
The study, published in Preventive Medicine, cautions against assuming that nutritional information on alcoholic beverages helps consumers make informed choices. Professor Vanderlee emphasized the importance of understanding the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
