An answer to the problem of binge drinking may rest at the bottom of a curvy glass, according to new research showing that people drink more slowly from a straight-sided glass than a shaped one.

Psychologists at the University of Bristol in England conducted experiments with 160 people aged 18 to 40 considered to be social drinkers and with no history of alcoholism.

After finding that participants drank beer almost twice as slowly from a straight glass, they theorized that people had an easier time "pacing" their drinking than when the booze was in a fluted glass.

If drinkers drink slower, they are likely to get drunk slower and drink fewer beverages in a session, study lead Dr. Angela Attwood said.

The theory was borne out when participants had a harder time gauging the level of liquid in curvy glasses from a series of pictures showing different vessels with varying amounts of liquid.

"Therefore, slowing drinking rates is likely to have positive impact for the individual and also at a population level," she said.

"The important point to take from our research is that the ability to pace effectively may be compromised when drinking from certain types of glasses."