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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.

By

Helen Jupiter
Tue, Aug 31 2010 at 1:53 PM
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Two champagne glasses raised for a toast

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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Comments: 772
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anonymous
Guest May 10 2012 at 12:46 PM

Darwinism at work.

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anonymous
Unveiled Intention Apr 25 2012 at 11:54 AM
I don't think the study said they were driving while stupidly drunk and lived longer. The chemical companies could say that people with bleach under their kitchen sink have cleaner houses, which leads to a better social life, but that has nothing to do with how many deaths a year come from stupid people that use those chemicals to make meth. What they didn't say was that you can get the same amount of daily anti-oxidants and vital minerals from other things like colorful vegetables grown in nutrient-rich
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soils, and many things can assist in strengthening long-lasting social bonds such as an honest character and good emotional health. Are you going to tell me that faith is dangerous because of all the deaths "in the name of God"?
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anonymous
Guest Apr 24 2012 at 1:22 PM
Both the evidence as well as logic suggests that this study is not "fluff from the alcohol industry." The research on drinking does overwhelmingly report that moderate alcohol consumption is related to better health and longevity than is either abstaining or drinking heavily. So is there alcohol industry influence on these results? If alcohol producers want consumers to drink more, the research would NOT appear to be helpful. It rather consistently finds that a number of health and safety problems
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are associated with heavy consumption. In fact, the research reports almost always warn against the dangers of drinking heavily. So it would appear to be in the interest of producers to suppress rather than support the research. The question then is who does provide the money and the answer is clear --- we all support most of it through our taxes. The federal government's National Institute on alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that it funds 90% of the research on alcohol conducted in the country. Does it have an agenda or a bias? Official federal policy is to reduce the mean per capita consumption of alcohol. Some industry "fluff"! http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/HealthIssues/20060322154937.html
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anonymous
samir garde Apr 22 2012 at 5:53 AM

timothy ch.5 vs. 23--drink no longer water but drink wine.

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anonymous
Enter your name Apr 19 2012 at 2:58 PM

"less likely to die" -- pour me another glass

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anonymous
Liz Apr 19 2012 at 1:32 PM

Where do these "researchers" come from???? I never heard so much stupidity!!! Who are they "following" in their research? America is going downhill fast ;(

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anonymous
Guest Jul 13 2012 at 1:23 AM

Liz --

There are only about 20 other studies that support the same theory. Yes, America is going downhill fast, not because of alcohol, but due to a lack of critical thinking. Read some U.S. history and you'll learn we probably drink far less per capita than in the time of the founders and framers. Early politicians won elections by giving out free booze, and most people wouldn't dare drink water -- it made people sick!

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anonymous
Guest Apr 22 2012 at 4:58 PM

Stanford and University of Texas.

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anonymous
WATER Apr 17 2012 at 2:42 PM

DRINK WATER IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE

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anonymous
Union Jack Apr 17 2012 at 2:35 PM
XD WHAT A JOKE! My gradmother never had a drop of WINE even and she lived till she was in her 80's! We're still not even sure quite how she died (it might have been cancer, starvation, or illness), but she lasted a month in hospice with whatever she had! Also, I'm turning 19 in September, and I am still asked if I am 16! Alcohol does nothing to help you. Maybe red wine can help, but studies have also shown that other alcohol can contribute to cancer. As for it "relaxing" you, that is true, but there
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are alternatives to that. One solution is to leave civilization behind, as that tends to be where most stress originates. You want my tip to live longer and healthier? Try my staple drink: it's a little something called water.
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anonymous
Guest Apr 19 2012 at 6:42 PM

In the article the researchers were clear to stipulated they believe the socializing, and not the alcohol, is the life extension culprit. Other research have concluded as much. I wonder if they controlled for "race" or culture.

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anonymous
Guest Apr 18 2012 at 2:26 PM

i don't think being 19 and being confused for a 16 year old is a big difference....now if you were 25 maybe. and it's a study, there are percentages and there are always outliers. like your grandmother. it's just saying that MOST people live longer lives. my grandmother lived to be 105 and smoked a pack a day since she was 15. explain that. lol

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mycos's picture
mycos May 21 2012 at 12:43 PM
Yes, that point about her grandmother's age being in her 80's as somehow being remarkable caught my attention as well. For her information, the average life-span for women in the USA is 81. And I should also mention that by comparison to other countries in the world, the US comes in 38th - with Japan leading them all with an average lifespan for women of 86, meaning there's nothing at all remarkable about her grandmother dying in her early 80's (if it had been or 88 or 89 she would have stated her
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age explicitly, but rather she chose to leave us guessing from a variety of ages - most of which I'm sure are actually higher than her actual age at death, thereby bolstering her argument by leaving us guessing).
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anonymous
Bruce Apr 16 2012 at 3:30 AM

Moderate alcohol consumption tends to relax people, a glass or two of red wine is good for a variety of reasons. Overindulgence as per usual is what messes you up. So enjoy a beer or two, have some wine with dinner it's okay.

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anonymous
Charley Apr 13 2012 at 3:36 PM

What if you are an alcoholic?

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anonymous
Guest May 13 2012 at 7:00 PM

Drink grape juice which has the benefits of wine without the alcohol!!

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anonymous
Guest Jul 26 2012 at 4:18 PM

Correlates to old stuff , the "French Paradox"
eg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_paradox or google that for yourself, there are plenty of entries.Suggest you read the WHOLE article, snappy answers impress no-one but the one who writes them. Cheers !

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anonymous
Guest Aug 19 2012 at 4:18 PM

Wikipedia isn't considered a reliable or authoritative source of information.

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anonymous
Guest May 13 2012 at 9:01 PM
Grape juice does not provide the benefits of wine without the alcohol, because the primary benefit of alcoholic beverages (including wine) comes from the alcohol itself. Research has examined the relative health benefits of drinking beer, wine and spirits in moderation. About 30% of studies have found that beer is the most healthful, about 30% have found that wine is the most beneficial, about 30% have found that spirits confer the most health benefits, and about 10% have found no difference between
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them in this regard. Research has also repeatedly demonstrated that drinking alcohol in moderation is associated with better health and greater longevity than is either abstaining or abusing alcohol. http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversies/1088441583.html
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anonymous
Guest Apr 17 2012 at 2:15 AM

Then you better watch out for a big stomach and liver diease!!!!!!!!!!!

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anonymous
Anon Apr 12 2012 at 6:59 PM

Duh! University of Texas at Austin

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anonymous
Riokid Apr 11 2012 at 3:07 AM

Research done at my alma mater, no less!

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anonymous
Rickytikitavi Apr 11 2012 at 3:05 AM

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

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anonymous
Charley Apr 13 2012 at 3:35 PM

You have been listening to Dr. D!

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anonymous
muralidharan Apr 08 2012 at 9:35 AM

its a topsy turvy world,wrong info couched in subtle language does not change what is obvious,alcohol is not good for your health.period.

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