Smartwatch app accurately tracks drinking habits

The app prompts users five times a day to record their alcohol consumption

A smartwatch app which records people's alcohol consumption could provide a more accurate picture of drinking habits for researchers.

The University of Bristol trialled the AlcoWatch on 32 participants from the city's Children of the 90s health study over 12 weeks.

They were prompted five times a day to record any alcoholic drinks they had, where they were consumed and whether it was in a social situation.

Dr Andy Skinner said: "Smartwatch-based methods for data capture could help researchers explore a much wider range of health-related behaviours, and develop new interventions to help with important issues like problematic drinking."

Traditional methods of recording alcohol consumption involve adding notes to a diary, which relies on individuals remembering to write it down.

The university's trial found that the app resulted in higher engagement from participants, leading to more accurate data.

It follows on from a previous app created by the university which aimed to help people stop smoking.

Chris Stone, a lead researcher on the AlcoWatch study, said: "We've produced an app which asks quick, simple questions about people's drinking behaviour.

"Capturing the data as people are drinking is a better way to do it," he added.

It is hoped that the app could be rolled out to the public and the NHS in the future to help people monitor their drinking habits.