It's the season when you're going to have friends, family, co-workers, and complete strangers in your midst. Everyone will be in a festive mood because it's the holiday season and there is an abundance of booze.

We often talk about drinking and drinking in  moderation this time of year but I recently discovered that when it comes to getting giddy, the kind of mixer you mix your spirits with has a lot to do with it.

In an article from Smithsonian.com they tell of a study done by researchers at Northern Kentucky University. The outcome of this study suggested that mixing your favorite libation with a diet soda versus a regular soda could have a significant impact on just how quickly you become intoxicated.

In fact in the study they cited evidence where men and women were given a proportionally appropriate amount of alcohol for their body  weight.  Half of the study participants mixed their cocktail with regular soda. The other half mixed their cocktail with a diet mixer.  The final outcome showed that those who chose the diet mixer had a significant difference in their blood alcohol content.

So much was the difference in breath alcohol concentration that those who made cocktails with regular soda would have measured a BrAC of just under the legal limit of .08. While those who mixed with diet soda would have found their BrAC to be above the legal limit for intoxication in most states. 

While we never encourage operating any vehicle while impaired this is useful information for the person who might choose a cocktail with dinner or a happy hour libation with friends. We just wanted you to know that your mixer apparently makes a difference.

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