Beer dropped by one-third of Canadians trying to shed pounds: Study

The survey says beer is being cut eight points more than cocktails and 12 points more than wine

Published Jun 14, 2026  •  1 minute read

Inspectors say many Australian beer drinkers are getting less than they pay for at the bar. Photo by Saeed KHAN /AFP/File

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A new study by MedExpress Canada says 37% of Canadians actively trying to lose weight have abandoned beer entirely.

In fact, the research shows beer is being cut eight points more than cocktails (29%) and 12 points more than wine (25%).

The poll also showed 44% of Canadians skip alcohol at dinner out, 33% give alcohol a pass at house parties and 27% skip alcohol at happy hour/after-work drinks.

Researchers say 48% of Canadians agree that wellness culture has made them more aware of how much they drink, 30% of Gen Z and millennials feel social pressure to drink less and 7% of Gen Z trying to lose weight have reduced or stopped drinking.

Three-fifths of Canadians trying to shed weight have either reduced/stopped drinking in the last year

The study found that more than three in five Canadians trying to lose weight (62%) have reduced or stopped drinking in the past year, 19% of Gen Z trying to lose weight have stopped drinking entirely, 36% of Canadians plan to reduce their drinking in the next 12 months, and 15% plan to stop drinking entirely.

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The survey says 74% of Canadian adults are actively trying to lose weight, using approaches ranging from increased exercise and calorie tracking to taking weight-loss medications.

Researchers say one in three Canadians trying to lose weight are drinking less often each week, 57% of Gen Z in the weight-loss group have reduced or stopped drinking, with 19% stopping drinking entirely, and 16% of Canadians trying to lose weight have stopped drinking entirely.

This study was conducted via an online survey among 1,005 Canadian adults in 2026 with Gen Z (30% of respondents), millennials (49%), Gen X (16%), and baby boomers (3%).

Baby boomers were excluded from generational breakdowns due to insufficient sample size.

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