Smartwatch app accurately tracks drinking habits

A new smartwatch application named AlcoWatch is making waves in the way people track their alcohol consumption. This innovative app prompts users five times a day to log their drinking habits, asking them to specify what they drank, where they were, and whether they were in a social setting. The University of Bristol conducted a study with 32 participants over a period of 12 weeks to test the effectiveness of this app. The results showed that using AlcoWatch led to more accurate data collection compared to traditional methods, which often rely on individuals remembering to jot down their drinks in a diary. Dr. Andy Skinner, a key figure in the research, explained that using smartwatches for data collection could open up new avenues for understanding various health-related behaviors and could lead to the development of new strategies to address issues like excessive drinking. The study found that participants were more engaged when using the app, which resulted in better data accuracy. Chris Stone, another lead researcher, emphasized that the app's design allows for quick and straightforward questions about drinking behavior, making it easier for users to provide accurate information. The hope is that AlcoWatch could eventually be made available to the public and the National Health Service (NHS) to assist individuals in monitoring their drinking habits more effectively. This could be a significant step towards promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the risks associated with alcohol consumption.