Booze = Immortality in a Bottle

[praxis1966]

Well, OK, not really. But according to a new study, I have another reason to get shit hammered more often.




Study: Abstaining from alcohol significantly shortens life

New research shows that those who imbibe are less likely to die than those who stay dry.

A newly released study (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01286.x/pdf) shows that regular drinkers are less likely to die prematurely than people who have never indulged in alcohol. You read that right: Time reports (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2014332,00.html) 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.


(Read More (http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/stories/study-abstaining-from-alcohol-significantly-shortens-life))

*Note: This isn't a pot shot at the board's Edgers...

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

i find this hard to believe, given that I've known people to get chronic panceatitis from heavy drinking. There's that risk, plus the riskfrom various cancers from drinking too. What's the science behind this? I can't click the link as I'm on a crappy browser.

[praxis1966]

i find this hard to believe, given that I've known people to get chronic panceatitis from heavy drinking. There's that risk, plus the riskfrom various cancers from drinking too. What's the science behind this? I can't click the link as I'm on a crappy browser.

Well, I would think that depends on their definition of "heavy" and "moderate" tbh... But here's the URL to the actual study: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01286.x/pdf

[JustMovement]

fuck 1-3 drinks a day isnt even that little. Basically I need to stop just drinking on weekends, and start drinking on weekdays as well.

[praxis1966]

fuck 1-3 drinks a day isnt even that little. Basically I need to stop just drinking on weekends, and start drinking on weekdays as well.

I don't think this is how it works, but the way I used to rationalize it was that the 1-3 drinks that most medical types class as "moderate" was an average. So, I'd abstain from drinking 6 days a week and drink 21 drinks on the 7th day. :lol:

[Princess Luna]

hahaha i read the titles as immorality in a bottle , i thought it was going to be some religious nut talking about how evil alcohol is.

[Hebrew Hammer]

I think I remember some article about some old man who lived to be 100+ and for the last 30 years of his life lived off a diet of pancakes and whiskey or something like that.

[Robespierre Richard]

Wouldn't do me any good, I stopped drinking and the one time I had a couple beers a few months after I stopped I just felt fucking horrible until the next morning.

It's probably true though, back when I drank the stress relief was pretty significant. Plus I could hang out with people to drink because otherwise it tends to be pretty boring with most people. I guess I'm like involuntarily edge now because I don't like weed either. The only chemicals in my life besides anti-depressants that dont do shit are cigarettes, and they statistically shorten life. :(

[praxis1966]

It's probably true though, back when I drank the stress relief was pretty significant. Plus I could hang out with people to drink because otherwise it tends to be pretty boring with most people. I guess I'm like involuntarily edge now because I don't like weed either. The only chemicals in my life besides anti-depressants that dont do shit are cigarettes, and they statistically shorten life. :(

Yeah, you basically put voice to my supposition as to why the researchers found what they did. I mean sure, beer has been shown to in moderation have certain benefits to urinary tract health and a certain element of congestive heart disease prevention. Plus, if you're drinking unfiltered styles like German hefeweizen or Belgian witbier, those contain yeasts which are believed to be immune system supportive as well. Then there's red wine of course, which has the same health effects on the cardiac system as beer (only probably it's more effective) and IIRC contains some antioxidants which are believed to help prevent certain types of cancer as well.

All that being said, though, this was basically a gerontological study. So, I have to believe that there was something more immediately beneficial, especially since they weren't studying any particular type of beverage. Immediately, that says to me the sedative properties (ie stress relieving) of the alcohol itself came into play as well.

And you're right, drunk people are an incredible bore if you're sober.

[Bright Banana Beard]

Good! This means I will keep drinking!

[A Revolutionary Tool]

To bad heavy drinking can fuck you in different ways. Have fun trying to have a stable relationship with anyone.

[Rusty Shackleford]

long live aqua vitae!

[Political_Chucky]

Wouldn't do me any good, I stopped drinking and the one time I had a couple beers a few months after I stopped I just felt fucking horrible until the next morning.

It's probably true though, back when I drank the stress relief was pretty significant. Plus I could hang out with people to drink because otherwise it tends to be pretty boring with most people. I guess I'm like involuntarily edge now because I don't like weed either. The only chemicals in my life besides anti-depressants that dont do shit are cigarettes, and they statistically shorten life. :(

Well that's pretty much the reason for it. Stress. Why live life stressed out putting your heart, blood pressure, etc. at more risk when you can drown your body in a drink that produces serotonin and estrogen, which will give your brain a dose of happy at the expense of just poisoning your heart, kidneys, and liver.

[Fawkes]

To bad heavy drinking can fuck you in different ways. Have fun trying to have a stable relationship with anyone.

No one is suggesting we become alcoholics and get trashed constantly. The report even said that life expectancy is best for moderate drinkers.