According to a recent study, vegetarians can be less-than-forthcoming about their late night exploits while under the influence of alcohol.
A UK-based discount code provider called VoucherCodesPro, conducted a survey of more than 1,700 British vegetarians of which a significant portion revealed that when they’re boozing, they’ll occasionally eat meat.
One in three of the vegetarians surveyed admitted they eat meat every time they go out drinking with friends. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed said they keep their meat dabblings secret. Kebab, burgers, bacon, fried chicken and sausages were the food items most preferred.
“I know a few ‘vegetarians’ who sometimes crave meat, but it seems that a few are giving into their cravings when drunk,” Voucher Codes Pro founder George Charles said. “I think it’s important for friends of these ‘vegetarians’ to support them when drunk and urge them not to eat meat as I’m sure they regret it the next day.”
Another study conducted by the Humane Research Council revealed that as many as 84 percent of people stray from their “strict” vegetarian diets.
So what is it about alcohol that turns well-meaning herbivores into flesh-consuming vultures? The answer may lie in previous studies.
From Jezebel:
First, there’s “The Apéritif Effect,” which is the phenomenon that alcohol increases food consumption. According to research conducted by Indiana University, this may be due to alcohol exposure increasing the brain’s sensitivity to external food cues — like delicious smells. A study from Purdue University showed consumption of alcohol to enhance the flavor of salt and fat. Finally, another study conducted by Purdue led researchers to believe that fat should be added as the sixth taste sense, alongside sweet, salt, sour, bitter and umami.
The choice seems clear for “vegetarians” — lay off the booze or be slaves to your primordial urges.
Featured image via Flickr
Leave a Reply