Pill touted as beer-gut cure

A pill before a pint could keep unsightly beer bellies at bay, it emerged yesterday. Beer Blok, a herbal remedy, is claimed to prevent beer-drinkers putting on the pounds. If drinkers take a tablet 15 minutes before the first pint and another before every subsequent beer, carbohydrates which normally turn to fat are destroyed. The suppliers, Nutri-health, whose spokesman rejoices in the name Steve Freak, said that within two to four weeks it has a slimming effect on 70-80 per cent of drinkers who take it.

But Alcohol Concern said the product will simply encourage people to drink more beer. A spokesman for the charity said: "If people are controlling their drinking because they are worried about putting on weight, a claim such as this removes that barrier, encouraging people to drink more heavily and to excess. "We are always very sceptical of claims like these - people have been drinking beer for 4,000 years and so far no one has found a way to stop people putting on weight. Putting on weight is one of the lesser dangers of drinking large amounts of beer. There are all sorts of other health risks like liver disease, heart disease and cancer, which are far more serious - and this product doesn't address any of these."

The tablets, which cost pounds 24.99 for 60, were researched and manufactured in Florida. No clinical trials have been carried out.