Hi °C | Lo °C NEW Year dieters should remember to count the calories in alcohol when they are trying to lose weight.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), cutting down on drinks could help weight loss which in turn could reduce cancer risks.
The charity has produced an online alcohol-calorie counter which equates drinks to an easily understandable comparison. For example, a pint of lager has the same calorie count as three chocolate digestive biscuits.
WCRF's Kate Mendoza said: "The calories in alcoholic drinks account for a significant proportion of a drinker's calorie consumption.
"Recent reports have shown that people are unaware of calories in drinks and don't include them when calculating their daily consumption. This is important from a cancer perspective because after smoking, being overweight or obese is the biggest risk factor.
"There is also strong scientific evidence that alcohol itself is a cancer risk factor, possibly through damaging our DNA."
hnews@herald.ie
