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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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"Of the 1,824 study participants, only 41 percent of the moderate drinkers died compared to a whopping 69 percent of the nondrinkers."
So the other 69% lived forever!
It's saying that 41 percent of the moderate drinkers died, and 69% of the non-drinkers died. It's the percentage of two different numbers.
i think you mean 59%.......
i think you mean 59%.......
over a 20 year span
This study is bs.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) conducted an extensive review of the scientific knowledge about the health effects of moderate alcohol consumption. It found that the lowest death rate from all causes (all cause mortality) occurs at the level of one to two drinks per day. That is, moderate drinkers have the greatest longevity.
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/InTheNews/MedicalReports/Longevity/1088...
that's just one more reason lol
at least, I think it sounds good....can't tell after these 2 glasses of wine....
The evidence is all of the people that were part of the research. Hence, it is a "study" of people. They use the data from the "study" to draw conclusions, and then post those conclusions so the rest of the world doesn't draw their own misinformed conclusions about the data.
Brainpower is a terrible thing to waste.
Abstaining from alcohol is a health risk factor. That is, not drinking (unless contraindicated by pregnancy, alcoholism, etc.) increases the risk of poor health and shorter life.
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/InTheNews/MedicalReports/GeneralHealth/...
The article says that drinking will LENGTHEN your life, and abstaining from alcohol will SHORTEN your life. You agree with the article, you just didn't understand what it was saying.
Japan has the longest life span of any country and there is alot of drinking in that country more that the united states i life there for 3 years teaching english and i can tell you that everybody in the country after works goes out and drink it is almost required for you. You are retarded check your facts before you open your mouth.
It was recently published that the Japanese census failed to record the deaths of about 130,000 old people who had died. These records of people more than 160 years old contaminates their data and any statistical conclusions drawn from them.
Its the Hare Kari Hour! This week's guests include Akio Toyoda, who will being offing himself for the shame & lost sales due to defective Prius electronics!
Do you seriously teach English? Your grammar is god awful. Just saying.
No wonder so many people are illiterate with teachers like that.
Wow if you're an english teacher then i'm the king of zimbabwe.
There is medical consensus that drinking alcohol (beer, wine and spirits) in moderation is associated with better health and greater longevity than abstaining. A recent long study also found that abstainers who began driking increased their longevity.
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/HealthIssues/1106591095.html
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