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Study: Abstaining from alcohol significantly shortens life
New research shows that those who imbibe are less likely to die prematurely than those who stay dry.
Tue, Aug 31 2010 at 1:53 PM
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Photo: Al404/Flickr
A newly released study shows that regular drinkers are less likely to die prematurely than people who have never indulged in alcohol. You read that right: Time reports that abstaining from alcohol altogether can lead to a shorter life than consistent, moderate drinking.
Surprised? The tightly controlled study, which looked at individuals between ages 55 and 65, spanned a 20-year period and accounted for variables ranging from socioeconomic status to level of physical activity. Led by psychologist Charles Holahan of the University of Texas at Austin, it found that mortality rates were highest for those who had never had a sip, lower for heavy drinkers, and lowest for moderate drinkers who enjoyed one to three drinks per day.
Of the 1,824 study participants, only 41 percent of the moderate drinkers died prematurely compared to a whopping 69 percent of the nondrinkers. Meanwhile, the heavy drinkers fared better than those who abstained, with a 60 percent mortality rate. Despite the increased risks for cirrhosis and several types of cancer, not to mention dependency, accidents and poor judgment associated with heavy drinking, those who imbibe are less likely to die than people who stay dry.
A possible explanation for this is that alcohol can be a great social lubricant, and strong social networks are essential for maintaining mental and physical health. Nondrinkers have been shown to demonstrate greater signs of depression than their carousing counterparts, and in addition to the potential heart health and circulation benefits of moderate drinking (especially red wine), it also increases sociability.
While it’s always important to drink responsibly, this is one study that warrants raising a glass.
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♪ There's a lotta doctors who tell me
I better start slowin' it down,
but there's more old drunks
then there are old doctors
So I guess I better have another round♪
Willie Nelson
dont believe everything you read
It's time for someone here to speak truth!
I'm old old old and drink all the time.
So what?
We barely know our place in the cosmos. How can we make much sense out of anything else?
Live life and try to be happy. That's it...
Cheers
BH
Im glad that people are not believing this. Logic still exist these days Faith restored in humanity
Hmmmmm. Logic requires rejecting the study? I guess by your logic, common sense requires rejecting the extensive scientific evidence supporting this study and its conclusions. And it also requires accepting astrology, homeopathy, and the flat earth theory.
"The sample at baseline included 1,824 individuals between the ages of 55 and 65."
More people have died before the age of 55 from alcohol related causes which makes this study flawed
My 90 year old Father 88 year old Mother ans 92 year old Mother-in-law would all disagree. No alcohol in their lives, ever. They also do not smoke or swear, and they regularly attend church.
A family friend got up at 4:30 every morning-poured water on hot rocks to make a sauna that he sat in-went to play 9 holes of golf,then went and opened his bar-where he actually drank vodka all day-until closing.He did this most of his life.He finally died at 84.
my 95 year old Grandad would disagree. Not touched a drop of alcohol or smoked in his life
Way to go society!!
Such a useless society should not exist where no poisoning oneself is asocial!
Such complete misinformation; alcohol is a confirmed neurotoxin. The only people who endorse alcohol are alcoholics who are brain damaged.
What a load of absolute crap!!!! Sponsored by the very people making money out of alcohol and alcohol related illness I'll warrant
I know plenty of OLD people who don't drink, and plenty more who lived a very long life without drinking every day.
Nothing like anecdotal "evidence" to refute a scientific study.
The interesting thing about this is that a UCLA study that took place over a period of 25 years showed that Mormons, on average, live longer than other people in the US. Mormon men live on average 3 years longer than their non-LDS counterparts, while Mormon women live 5 years longer. They abstain from alcohol.
The protective factor for Mormons is that they DON'T SMOKE!
Totally craps.
I read today that red wine can prevent bowel cancer.
Red wine has been proven to have cardiovasvular benefits. However let's not forget the genetic factor in longevity.
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