bartender! get me that new alcohol study, and a double!
Discussion
Jodi Lai August 30, 2010 – 1:06 pm
Abstaining from drinking alcohol tends to increase one’s risk of dying and moderate drinking is associated with the lowest mortality rates in research on alcohol use, a new study suggests.
The study, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, can’t explain why abstainers’ mortality rates are higher than those of heavy drinkers, but Time has offered some suggestions below.
Those who abstain from drinking tend to be in a lower socioeconomic class because drinking can be expensive, especially in social settings such as pubs and bars. People who don’t have a lot of disposable income are generally thought to have more stressors in life, which leads to stress-related illnesses. Quality of life may also be lacking, so they may not be able to afford the healthiest food or the best health care.
Moderate drinking, defined as one to three drinks per night, could lead to prolonged life, especially if the drink of choice is red wine, which has be thought to improve heart health and circulation. A few drinks also improves sociability. Sociability could help health because people who are isolated don’t have as many people around to step in or notice when drinking gets out of hand. Being social is vital for maintaining mental and physical health. People who aren’t social have a greater risk of depression, Time says.
Alcoholics Anonymous has a theory that many people in their groups who currently abstain from drinking used to be hard-core alcoholics who have already incurred health problems associated from their previous drinking.
Still, when all variables are controlled, the findings of the study — done by a six-member team led by psychologist Charles Holahan of the University of Texas — are still the same, Time reports.
Over a 20-year period, mortality rates were highest for those who had never been drinkers, second-highest for heavy drinkers and lowest for moderate drinkers.
The sample of those who were studied included individuals between ages 55 and 65 who had had any kind of outpatient care in the previous three years. The 1,824 participants were followed for 20 years. One drawback of the sample: a disproportionate number, 63%, were men. Just over 69% of the never-drinkers died during the 20 years, 60% of the heavy drinkers died and only 41% of moderate drinkers died.
Even though heavy drinking is associated with a higher risk of liver problems like cirrhosis and some cancers, heavy drinkers in the study were less likely to die than those who never drank. Time says the social aspect of drinking is why drinkers live longer.
The authors of the study still warn that drinking increases the chances of impaired memory and serious falls.
Abstaining from drinking alcohol tends to increase one’s risk of dying and moderate drinking is associated with the lowest mortality rates in research on alcohol use, a new study suggests.
The study, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, can’t explain why abstainers’ mortality rates are higher than those of heavy drinkers, but Time has offered some suggestions below.
Those who abstain from drinking tend to be in a lower socioeconomic class because drinking can be expensive, especially in social settings such as pubs and bars. People who don’t have a lot of disposable income are generally thought to have more stressors in life, which leads to stress-related illnesses. Quality of life may also be lacking, so they may not be able to afford the healthiest food or the best health care.
Moderate drinking, defined as one to three drinks per night, could lead to prolonged life, especially if the drink of choice is red wine, which has be thought to improve heart health and circulation. A few drinks also improves sociability. Sociability could help health because people who are isolated don’t have as many people around to step in or notice when drinking gets out of hand. Being social is vital for maintaining mental and physical health. People who aren’t social have a greater risk of depression, Time says.
Alcoholics Anonymous has a theory that many people in their groups who currently abstain from drinking used to be hard-core alcoholics who have already incurred health problems associated from their previous drinking.
Still, when all variables are controlled, the findings of the study — done by a six-member team led by psychologist Charles Holahan of the University of Texas — are still the same, Time reports.
Over a 20-year period, mortality rates were highest for those who had never been drinkers, second-highest for heavy drinkers and lowest for moderate drinkers.
The sample of those who were studied included individuals between ages 55 and 65 who had had any kind of outpatient care in the previous three years. The 1,824 participants were followed for 20 years. One drawback of the sample: a disproportionate number, 63%, were men. Just over 69% of the never-drinkers died during the 20 years, 60% of the heavy drinkers died and only 41% of moderate drinkers died.
Even though heavy drinking is associated with a higher risk of liver problems like cirrhosis and some cancers, heavy drinkers in the study were less likely to die than those who never drank. Time says the social aspect of drinking is why drinkers live longer.
The authors of the study still warn that drinking increases the chances of impaired memory and serious falls.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff