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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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Open your eyes to the research evidence that has accumulated over decades from countries around the world. Indeed, alcohol abuse can have negative consequences, but research has demonstrated that the benefits of drinking moderately outweigh the negative effects of abuse. Carry Nation only looked at one side of the alcohol question. Don't be guilty of making the same mistake.
Did the study include any of the many millions of Muslims who do not imbibe?
Closing your eyes to reality won't make it go away.
My contention is that, when study results or their interpretation are patently at odds with reality, we begin to question the study and interpretation, not reality. Although there are exceptions, the assertions of a single study should not be sufficient to turn our perception of reality on its head.
The DARE program hasn't been around long enough for the kids exposed to it to become old.
DARE began in 1983, so it's been around for almost a third of a century. No study has yet found any evidence that DARE is effective and some studies have found that those who take the program are MORE likely to do drugs!
DARE is really worse than having no program at all. You can learn more about DARE at http://alcoholfacts.org/DARE.html
Maybe the one who research this article had a liquor store business lol
Liquor store owners don't usually hold academic appointments and publish in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Some of the non-drinkers have very good reason to be depressed. We are smokers and their is a war being waged against us and it is mainly the drinkers who are waging that war.
Reminds me of a joke:
Boy to friend:"My grandpa is eighty and doesn't use glasses."
Friend:"Drinks straight from the bottle does he?"
Reminds me of a joke:
Boy to friend:"My grandpa is eighty and doesn't use glasses."
Friend:"Drinks straight from the bottle does he?"
"it found that mortality rates were highest for those who had never had a sip"
Read the article. Then comment.
AS JUS WANNA SAY I BEEN ABLE TO QUIT DRUNKING ALL MY LIFE IT IS EASY, I DO IT ALL THE TIME ILL BE FIFTY ONE SOON GOING ON ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONE, THAT MY LONGEVITY STUDY, HICK, OIT OIT OIT!
Exactly right!!! Which is why I feed my young two year old son coke light for strong bones and baccy for white, clean teeth, and why I smoke 100 filterless a day to keep my lungs fresh and clear. Did you know that a tub of margerine a day keeps the arteries dilated?
Sarcasm can't negate the results of scientific research. :-)
ha ha ha. If this is true how come women outlive men. Are those women alcohol drinkers./ Read my lips.........
Now there's proof!! Even MORE reason to save water & DWINK vinho. LOL!!!
Now isn't this just what we wanted to hear? Seriously though I believe in "everything in moderation" Cheers
I would like to look at the details (and plan to). But to summarize, from what I gather from the article: some 1800 people, initially aged 55-65, were divided into three categories: heavy drinker, moderate drinker and nondrinker. Over 20 years, 60% of the heavy drinkers, 41% of the moderate drinkers, and 69% of the nondrinkers died 'prematurely'. I need to know, among other things, what is meant by 'prematurely', and how many from the 1800 total are in each category.
I disagree with article entirely. Particularly the "sober people tend to be more depressed" line. Alcohol is a depressant. Many of the people in my family become depressed, as well as aggressive, when they drink. The people in my family who don't drink, or have 1-2 drinks a year tend to be much happier than those who have drinks every day.
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