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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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you can also argue that anyone who demonstrates being able to consistently manage drinking "in moderation", has a higher level of self control in all aspects of their life. Including diet, drugs, dangerouse activities, etc.
like most of these studies, the cause-effect connection is claimed, when really, it's just coincidental
"ike most of these studies, the cause-effect connection is claimed, when really, it's just coincidental"
Please provide data to back up your claim.
How does that argument address or explain the fact that live-time abstainers who begin to drink tend to live longer than those who continue drinking; that alcohol improves heart and circulatory health by improving cholesterol levels, cholesterol particle size, viscosity, reducing clotting and platelet aggregation; that its improvement of blood profile reduces strokes; and that those who consume alcohol are more likely to survive a heart attack? It doesn't!
Well, I guess the same could be asked as to whether or not there is a pronounce placebo affect from reduced/no alcohol substitutes. The brain and human body are amazing things, the chemistry of which we still don't fully understand.
I've read that a large number of people who dont drink actually have significant health problems and therefore cant drink. This effects the result of such a survey. These people may have ongoing health problems their whole lives and yes die younger as a result of their conditions eg. diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, kidney disease, etc etc. Among the very elderly I think you'll find they drink very little.
Exactly....it seems like many people with health problems that make them more likely to die prematurely are also more likely to abstain because of their health issues.
This idea has been tested in many studies by restricting the non-drinkers studied to only those who have been life-long abstainers. Even after doing this, most studies find that sensible drinking is associated with better health and longer life than abstaining throughout life.
Yeah okay...This is because non-drinkers are killed by drunk drivers. The drunk drivers almost always survive! LOL
The more you drink the longer u live
Sarcasm can't make the scientific evidence disappear..... drinking in moderation supports better health and longer life.
This study just seems like a plot for the alcohol industry in order to get people to buy more drinks. Now people are going to be dumb enough to believe this study and acutally go out there and drink more so this would be a huge pay day for the alcohol industry.
It would be dumb to ignore the fact that studies around the world using different research designs and controlling for numerous factors continues to find that social drinking is better for our health than not drinking.
I am a regular drinker and I find this to be nuts. It may be true but it's only because our insides are pickled.
... then it's true, and not nuts.
its funny that people who drink will defend their alcohol consumption to no end while huge corps selling alcohol rack up billions in profit. alcohol is pure poison for the body....period.
You can keep dreaming though!
And yet this survey would suggest otherwise. I'm not sure if you have a vendetta against drinkers (perhaps you were beaten by an abusive drunken parent as a child, although clearly not enough), but the evidence points to moderate consumption of alcohol as being beneficial and not "pure poison for the body". Alcohol is, after all, a naturally occurring product.
Additionally, putting "period" after your statement does not make you correct, it makes you look a moron.
the pro-tobacco guys and anti-global warming guys have recycled themselves into the alcohol industry.
...said the (im)poster with no name through a cloud of smoke...
If you don't think cannabis is addictive my friend, I have a lovely bridge to sell you.
Get off it. We agree with you but it makes us feel better.
Reasonably responsible Drinking say a peg or two a day should actually be good like most things in moderation . Problem is most people like anything else go overboard. Also drinking and driving dont mix, As long as you drink sensibily (and its not illegal wherever you live) GO FOR IT
People who have health problems tend to refrain from drinking. Therefore, a statistical study might show that the non drinkers have higher chance of dying, which is totally misleading...
Was this Study sponsored by Budwiser? Lenght people will go to serve self interest.................
My common sense is enough to refute this study.
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