Researchers found that moderate alcohol drinkers are more likely to live longer over a 20-year follow-up than heavy drinkers and abstainers. Moderate drinking means consuming about one or two drinks per day. A report published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research stressed that the health benefits of drinking alcohol among older individuals are “intrinsically linked to moderation”.
Using data collected from a large study of late-life patterns of alcohol consumption, the investigators monitored 1,824 (1,142 males and 682 females) individuals aged between 55 and 65 who either currently drank or used to drink.
The gathered data included:
- How much each person drank per day
- Sociodemopgrpahic factors
- Whether any had had any previous problems with drink
- Health factors
- Social behavioral factors
Charles Holahan, professor of psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, and team at The University of Texas and Stanford University’s Center for Health Care Evaluation identified several confounding factors linked to alcohol abstention. They found that a significant number of abstainers (teetotalers) in their study sample were former-problem drinkers, as well as people with health problems and health risk factors, such as poor physical activity and a high degree of tobacco smoking, compared to the moderate drinker’s sample.
Put simply – many of the abstainers were either ex-alcoholics or people with factors that would increase the risk of premature death (that is why probably they stopped drinking).
The authors wrote:
However, the salutary effect of moderate drinking may be overestimated owing to confounding factors.
They found that moderate drinkers tended to live longer across a 20-year follow-up compared to heavy drinkers and teetotalers. Mortality risk was 42% higher for heavy drinkers and 49% higher for abstainers than moderate drinkers.
Holahan stressed the need for common sense regarding moderate drinking. One, or perhaps two drinks per day may be good for some people – a lot more might be dangerous.
Holahan added:
Older persons drinking alcohol should remember that consuming more than two drinks a day exceeds recommended alcohol consumption guidelines in the United States and is associated with increased falls, a higher risk of alcohol use problems and potential adverse interactions with medications.
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Even so, after taking into account the confounding factors, the researchers found that moderate drinker was still more likely to live longer than the abstainer or heavy drinker.
The authors concluded:
Findings are consistent with an interpretation that the survival effect for moderate drinking compared to abstention among older adults reflects 2 processes. First, the effect of confounding factors associated with alcohol abstention is considerable. However, even after taking account of traditional and nontraditional covariates, moderate alcohol consumption continued to show a beneficial effect in predicting mortality risk.
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Charles J. Holahan, Kathleen K. Schutte, Penny L. Brennan, Carole K. Holahan, Bernice S. Moos, Rudolf H. Moos
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Article first published online: 24 AUG 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01286.x
Written by Christian Nordqvist
FAQs
Why do moderate drinkers live longer than non drinkers? ›
Heavy drinkers had the highest heart disease risk, followed by abstainers. Moderate drinkers had the lowest risk but they also tended to have healthier lifestyles — with more exercise, less smoking, and higher vegetable consumption — that might explain the protective effect of moderate drinking on the heart.
Does moderate drinking make you live longer? ›Epidemiological studies indicate that moderate drinkers live longer than non-drinkers and heavy drinkers.
Are moderate drinkers healthier than non drinkers? ›It's safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dose. Moderate drinking seems to be good for the heart and circulatory system, and probably protects against type 2 diabetes and gallstones. Heavy drinking is a major cause of preventable death in most countries.
Who drink moderate amounts of ______ live longer than those who abstain? ›People who drank moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee lived longer than those who abstained, The 90+ Study researchers have found. For alcohol, about two glasses of beer or wine daily was linked to a reduced the risk of premature death.
How long do moderate alcoholics live? ›The teetotaler (0 drinks/week) and the excessive drinker (8+ drinks/week) were projected to live to 92 and 93 years old, respectively. The same person having one drink per week was projected to live to 94, and the moderate drinker (2-7 drinks/week) was projected to live 95 years.
Why do wine drinkers live longer? ›Studies have tied resveratrol to improved heart health and longevity, and there's evidence that resveratrol may combat inflammation and help improve blood health.
Why a lower drinking age is good? ›Allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to drink alcohol in regulated environments with supervision would decrease unsafe drinking activity. There are fewer drunk driving traffic accidents and fatalities in many countries with MLDA of 18.
What is the point of moderate drinking? ›Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as: Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease. Possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow) Possibly reducing your risk of diabetes.
Are heavy drinkers healthier in later life? ›Drinking heavily may be the key to staying happy and healthy in later life, a study has found. Researchers questioned hundreds of people aged over 60 attending hospital for routine surgery about their mood and quality of life, and compared this with the amount of alcohol they drank.
How many drinks a day is a moderate drinker? ›What does moderate drinking mean? According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal icon,1 adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed.
Can you be a heavy drinker without being an alcoholic? ›
“This study shows that, contrary to popular opinion, most people who drink too much are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics,” said Robert Brewer, M.D., M.S.P.H., Alcohol Program Lead at CDC and one of the report's authors.
How many drinks a day is considered an alcoholic? ›For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Does moderate drinking reduce life expectancy? ›In conclusions, modest drinkers, no more than one drink a day, had benefits and could gain nearly 1 year in life expectancy, in contrast to a loss of nearly 7 years if drinking more than that.
What is drinking in moderation in the Bible? ›Paul advises Timothy, “Stop drinking only water, but have a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (1 Tim 5:23). So alcohol is a lawful pleasure. But like all lawful pleasures, moderation is still necessary. Scripture says that the Lord makes “wine to gladden their hearts” (Ps 104:15).
Do people who drink more water live longer? ›Adults who are well-hydrated tend to live longer, healthier lives and develop fewer chronic conditions, including heart and lung disease, than their peers who are parched, according to a National Institutes of Health study published January 2 in the journal eBioMedicine.
What is the difference between a moderate drinker and a regular drinker? ›What does moderate drinking mean? According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal icon,1 adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women, when alcohol is consumed.
Why lowering the drinking age is safer? ›Allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to drink alcohol in regulated environments with supervision would decrease unsafe drinking activity. There are fewer drunk driving traffic accidents and fatalities in many countries with MLDA of 18.
Why is moderate drinking good? ›Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as: Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease. Possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow) Possibly reducing your risk of diabetes.
Are heavy drinkers healthier in later years? ›Those with heavy drinking habits are likely to experience a better quality of life as they get older reveals a new study, that also linked drinking to better health.
How many drinks per day is alcoholism? ›Heavy Alcohol Use:
For men, consuming more than 4 drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, consuming more than 3 drinks on any day or more than 7 drinks per week.
Does moderate drinking protect your heart? ›
Does Alcohol Protect Against Heart Problems? Some studies have shown an association between moderate alcohol intake and a lower risk of dying from heart disease.