Posted on 09/30/2013 6:47:15 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Pouring two to three glasses of wine when you think you’re pouring just a glass is actually quite common, new research at Iowa State and Cornell universities reveals. In fact, researchers found that how much one pours is affected by a number of environmental factors and could have somber repercussions when it comes to overconsumption of alcoholic beverages.
Researchers asked the study participants to pour what they thought was a normal drink utilizing various types of glasses in different environments. The findings reveal how easy it is to overpour. For example, participants poured approximately 12 percent more wine into a wide glass than a standard one. The same was observed when holding a glass while pouring versus placing the glass on a table and pouring.
“People have trouble assessing volumes,” said co-author Laura Smarandescu, assistant professor of marketing at Iowa State, in a statement. “They tend to focus more on the vertical than the horizontal measures. That’s why people tend to drink less when they drink from a narrow glass, because they think they’re drinking more.”
Researchers looked at six different environmental cues to learn how each affected the amount of wine poured. They found that the contrast between the glass and the color of the wine also led to a considerable difference. For instance, when pouring white into a clear glass, study participants added nine percent more than adding red into a clear glass.
“If you ask someone how much they drink and they report it in a number of servings, for a self-pour that’s just not telling the whole story. One person’s two is totally different than another person’s two,” said co-author Douglas Walker, an assistant professor of marketing at Iowa State. “Participants in the study were asked to pour the same amount at each setting, but they just couldn’t tell the difference.”
According to researchers, even though study participants could recognize those environmental factors, it does not mean they were aware of how much more wine they were adding to accurately document their alcohol consumption.
Unfortunately, drinking too much wine can have quick and serious consequences. According to Smarandescu, people will often rely on internal indicators, like a full feeling, when eating, but that doesn’t translate to drinking. The study reveals the need to teach people about how to determine a proper serving size of alcohol.
The study’s findings are described in the journal of Substance Use and Misuse.
A 12+ oz wine glass is the way to go.
Nothing in the rest of the article talks about simple miscounting like this first sentence does.
This is funny. It seems like a “duh” assessment to me. If glasses are different sizes or colors, people are going to pour different amounts. If the study asked people to pour the same amount in the same type of glass, they’d get consistent results.
I hope taxpayer money wasn’t spent on this study. (Too lazy to click through before a full glass of chocolate milk.) ;p
Try assessing volume after 6 shots of JD...
Sometimes people pour a little too much wine in the glass, and have to sip it down until they can pour the right amount back into it. I’ve found that it often takes three or four tries to get it right, only with me it is Scotch, not wine.
Who uses a glass for drinking wine?
A glass of wine is 1/4 a bottle.....easiest way to judge is look at the bottle....
What’s with the ‘unintentional’, kemosabe?
LOL.
I was thinking they should watch me in action with my “handle” of George Dickel #12 and a water glass!
Ya beat me to it!
A person without a beer mug.
Are you sure? :-)
And why would they choose wine for this study? People have trouble estimating volumes when it comes to wine but can pour exact amounts if the liquid is orange juice or water?
Could there be an agenda behind this study? Me thinks so.
Agreed. It is time to get the politics out of our booze!
um, yeah, I am. Per bottle...(standard can be assumed). I did not say Magnum, or anything else...BOTTLE.
>> standard can be assumed
You know what they say about assume. :-)
I was just making a funny... I am frankly surprised that you’re touchy about it!
The gracious response would have been “ha ha, yeah, sorry, I meant standard 750ml bottle.”
Me. My lovely wife.
Sorry....you right....I’m busy and crabby today......I need a fouth of a 750 ML bottle....OF SINGLE MALT!!
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