AN Otley man who used to drink up to 20 pints a week is paying closer attention to his alcohol consumption after realising the hidden impact it was having on his health.
Lee l’Anson, 49, had been drinking between 15 and 20 pints a week before teaming up with Drinkaware, a UK alcohol charity, to reflect on his habits and make changes.
Mr l’Anson said: "At my age, you risk serious health complications down the line if you don’t look after yourself.
"I see some of my friends who are a couple of years older, with similar active lifestyles to me, and their health problems make me want to do better.
"Now those changes also include reducing my alcohol intake, as before this, I never knew how much of an effect it had on my health and fitness."
He said that his drinking often crept up without him realising.
Mr l’Anson said: "It's not about cutting out drinking completely but being honest and understanding yourself.
"I would say I had a couple of drinks, then looked at my bank account and saw I had eight.
"By tracking my intake, I have now come to realise how much those few pints were each time and how much it was really impacting things like my sleep, energy and overall wellbeing."
His experience comes as new research from Drinkaware shows that while people are increasingly monitoring their health in areas like sleep, exercise, and heart rate, only 13 per cent of UK drinkers are keeping track of how much alcohol they consume.
Despite the health risks, just 15 per cent of drinkers report being concerned about the impact of alcohol on their wellbeing.
This figure rises to 36 per cent among those who exceed the UK Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines of 14 units per week - equivalent to around six pints of beer or six medium glasses of wine.
NHS GP and TV presenter Dr Zoe Williams has partnered with Drinkaware to encourage people to consider alcohol as part of their overall health.
Dr Williams said: "Patients often come to me because they’re struggling with their sleep, feeling constantly tired or wondering why they’re not feeling their best.
"What’s striking is that many are already doing lots of the right things.
"They’re exercising regularly and eating well, but alcohol isn’t on their radar.
"By learning more about your drinking and exploring the choices available to you, you can find an approach that fits your lifestyle."
She emphasised that making small changes doesn’t mean missing out.
Dr Williams said: "Finding your balance with alcohol isn’t about giving something up or missing out.
"It’s about discovering what you could gain from making small changes that work for you.
"For some people, that might mean more energy, better sleep, or simply feeling more in control of their choices."
Drinkaware’s research found that more than eight million people in the UK (19 per cent) are drinking above the recommended guidelines, yet 42 per cent of this group do not believe they need to change their habits.
Among those who have not reduced their drinking in the past year, more than a third (34 per cent) said it had never occurred to them to do so.
However, those who have cut back report significant benefits—35 per cent feel healthier, 31 per cent sleep better, 23 per cent have lost weight, 21 per cent feel more positive, and 17 per cent have more energy.
Karen Tyrell, chief executive of Drinkaware, said: "It's encouraging to see so many people taking an active interest in their health and using data to better understand their wellbeing.
"Yet alcohol is often missing from that conversation, despite the role it can play in our sleep, energy, mood and overall health."
She said the charity aims to support people in making informed choices about alcohol.
Ms Tyrell said: "At Drinkaware, we want to help people better understand their relationship with alcohol and give them the practical tools and support to find a balance that works for them.
"It’s not about being perfect.
"It’s about understanding your habits, exploring your options and making choices that work for you."
Drinkaware offers free tools and resources to help people understand their drinking habits and make positive changes, available at www.drinkaware.co.uk/find-your-balance.
The NHS advises that if you regularly drink as much as 14 units per week, it is best to spread your drinking evenly over three or more days.