Drink smart

Whether you're enjoying a goblet of Merlot, a sparkling cooler or a frosty beer, you may be swigging more calories and alcohol than you think. "Women are tipping back six per cent more alcohol compared to 1998," says Marion Chan, vice-president of the food and beverage division of NPD Group, a market research firm in Toronto (see What we're drinking). And that adds up. "You need to realize that a beer or mixed drink is anywhere from 120 to 150 calories—equal to half a sandwich," says Charlene Chen, a Vancouver-based registered dietitian.

Extra calories aren't the only added punch. According to Dr. Nady el-Guebaly, medical director of the Addiction Centre, Calgary Health Region, "The quantity of alcohol absorbed by a female stomach is higher than that of a man." Why the difference? Women have less of the enzyme that gobbles up booze. Plus, we gals get more of a buzz because alcohol is drawn to fat, which women typically carry more of.

But what about the health benefits of alcohol you've heard about? Dr. el-Guebaly says there's robust evidence indicating that less than two drinks a day reduces the risk of heart disease. In terms of drawbacks, he points to a recent study by the Northern California Cancer Center demonstrating a greater chance of breast cancer in predisposed women, even with low consumption. So, the next time you're driven to drink, repeat this mantra: drink small quantities, drink slowly and drink with food.

The tipple sheet You'll find approximate calorie and alcohol counts for your favourite drinks below. Just don't forget that the tumbler of shiraz you pour at home might be larger than these average serving sizes. Beverage Quantity % alcohol No. calories White wine 125 mL (4 oz) 11% alcohol 85 calories Red wine 125 mL (4 oz) 11% alcohol 90 calories Spirits 45 mL (1.5 oz) 40% alcohol 97 calories Light beer 341 mL (12 oz) 4% alcohol 99 calories Basic martini 55 mL (2 oz) 40% alcohol 137 calories Beer 341 mL (12 oz) 5% alcohol 145 calories Wine-, beer- or spirit-based coolers 341 mL (12 oz) 3% to 7% alcohol 120 to 200 calories

What we're drinking Happy hour is here again, according to these eye-opening figures from Statistics Canada. · In 2002, Canadians spent $14.5 billion on 2.7 billion litres of beer, wine and spirits—enough alcohol to fill almost 900 Olympic-sized swimming pools. · The average Canadian bought about 85 litres of beer, 12 litres of wine and seven litres of spirits. · Our thirst for spirit- and wine-based coolers jumped 63 per cent and 24 per cent respectively that year. · Canadians bought 139 per cent more wine than in 1970, but three per cent fewer spirits and 16 per cent less beer. · Red wine represents 55 per cent of total wine sold. · Martini bars are an urban trend. Mixed drinks and plain liquor attract only about two per cent of the population.