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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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Closing your eyes to the scientific medical evidence will not make it disappear!
Hmmm. I'm skeptical although I do believe a little red wine is good for the stomach. Having said that, I eschew alcohol to a large degree. I am only 43, but have outlasted peers of mine who were heavy drinkers that are gone way too soon.
"New research shows that those who imbibe are less likely to die than those who stay dry." - Seriously? Who wrote this sentence? Did they honestly thing that death was preventable in some way?
OK, I'm wondering now if they've included any alcoholics into their study...Com'a, you're trying to convince me ppl binging on drinks are going to have healthier livers?! hardly make sense.
In this case, am I to understand there's any alcohol companies financing this research and many other similar ones?
"New research shows that those who imbibe are less likely to die than those who stay dry."
Wow! And I thought it was 100% sure that we all are going to die.
Who knew that drinking may allow you to live forever!
How she should have written this...
"New research shows that those who imbibe are likely to live longer than those who stay dry."
it is so impotant to know, that drinking is not so dangerous , as i think before. new research helps us to be in the heavens all the time
some people just have a really negative attitude towards alcohol. as it was stated in the results, the probable reason why it helps people live so well is by helping maintain the mental health of a person through being a good social lubricant. now, just the same as cannabis, all things taken in excess is bad for you. who can really say that cannabis and alcohol really does not have advantages. only idiots will use these studies to justify the abuse of these substances.
There's not enough information provided in the article to draw any real conclusions from this study. For all we know the average life expectancy of the non-drinkers group may well be higher then that of the drinking groups. I'd be interested to look at the control variables used and how they were accounted for. It might also be useful to look at the VARIANCE within the three groups, not just 'those who died prematurely'.
This study, along with the hundreds of others from around the world using different research designs with different populations and wide variety of controls, does permit us to conclude that social drinking leads to better health and reduces the risk of premature death.
I take medication on a daily basis and therefore cannot consume alcohol. I am 74 years old. Does this research mean I am going to die at a young age?
i agree with you ani. this is a very irrisponsible report and does nothing more than encourage a drinking culture that is way out of control in the first place. i have been sober 3 and a half years. it took everything from me, family, home and nearly my job but i turned things around. if i picked up a drink again i may never put it down so to drink for me is to die. i think i`ll take my chances with water and soft drinks thanks.
There is absolutely nothing irresponsible about conducting research on important subjects such as alcohol and health/longevity. The topic has long been dominated by religion and ideology rather than by empirical search evidence.
Alcohol never causes loss of family, job, house, etc., but the ABUSE of alcohol can. Of course, those who can't drink in moderation shouldn't drink at all and the study doesn't suggest that they do.
I cannot consume alcohol because of medication I must take on a daily basis. Should I worry about an early death? I am 74 years old.
Lou,
This is just one thing that I wanted to bring into conversation (I guess I mensioned about this subject in finnish forum today).
And my answer to you is defanetly not!!
Thank you for pointing this out:)
Nobody's mentioned moderation. We can handle toxins in moderation. Alcohol is a strong poison, but it does have health benefits (calms nerves in a crisis; disinfectant). There are alternatives: deep breathing also calms nerves in a crisis, for example. The problem is the $$$ as always - you're all right, the alcohol companies are 'tobacco executives recycled.' Enjoy some tipple, organic if you can, and if you get a hangover you had too much.
Nice.This just made my day! Today I have been sober for 12 years and the first thing I see on the internet is this study. I have been hearing this explanation for years from people who should not drink at all (for various reasons)...and for that reason studies like this trying to claim that drinking is good should be illegal by law...I am very serious about this!
People who drink too much alcohol and suffer from alcoholism have many choices: Alcoholics Anonymous or AA (http://www.aa.org), Moderation Management, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, the St. Jude Program (http://www.soberforever.net), and many others.
There's no reason to suffer from alcoholism.
Reduce your risk of premature death...
Become an alcoholic TODAY!!!
You must not have read the article. It said 'moderate drinkers' live the longest.
Helen Jupiter : I enjoyed the article and appreciate the statistics but am somewhat baffled by you sub-header. It implies,nay states, that ' those who imbibe are less likely to die '. I've since been polishing off a bottle of cheap red plonk on your word in the hopes of living forever.
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