Today I stumbled upon an interesting study on alcohol and Survival, published by a group of American researchers in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, which analyzed the survival to 20 years in 1824 adults aged 'between 55 and 65.
I found this research very interesting, 'cause one of the topics discussed more' interesting about alcohol intake and survival: the fact that in moderate drinkers is observed reduced mortality ' both in respect of non-drinkers, that of heavy drinkers. This point of view and 'was often criticized by those who maintain that teetotalers are a group in society' includes many people who abstain from taking alcohol for various reasons, often associated with reduced health. For example, the abstainers are ex-alcoholics in treatment, then do not drink more 'cause they are addressing the problem, but that drag a series of health problems that increases the propensity to a life expectancy more' short. Often, also, are people with a socio-economic status more 'low drinkers, and notoriously, the poor are more' exposed to disease and have a chance 'to live a long low compared to others. Finally, it seems that among the abstainers, there is a greater percentage of patients with depression problems.
In the sample analyzed by these authors, there is actually a larger number of subjects with these characteristics (ex-alcoholics, people of low socio-economic and psychological problems) and for the fact, help to lower the average life of abstainers . The statistical analysis used in this study, however, shows 'that, even after taking account of reducing these potential confounders, moderate drinkers, however, are characterized by a longer survival' long, both heavy drinkers and the non-drinkers. Not only do heavy drinkers, but also those with the habit of consuming large quantities' alcohol even occasionally (although the average daily then falls in the range of moderate alcohol consumption), are more inclined to a longer life 'shortly.
Although being a very good study, because 'considers many confounding factors and follow-up of twenty years, even in this case there are limitations to be discussed, made clear by the researchers themselves. First of all that is not 'state can be analyzed individually those who remained abstinent for life and that the intake of alcohol and' was self-referential by study participants themselves and not measured directly. The final in my opinion, it is still very scientifically valid.
Among the reasons that could reasonably justify this beneficial effect of alcohol (which is usually attributed to a greater extent in red wine), I remember the positive effects on plasma fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) that are seen drinking in moderation and the consequences for cardiovascular protection. Among the possible negative effects of drinking to excess, there is no damage to the liver (such as cirrhosis) and the digestive system (cavity 'mouth, esophagus, larynx) which can be associated with an increased risk of cancer in these tissues.
Conclusion? No nutritionist (nor I) Councillor 'never start a teetotaler to drink. However, it now seems established that moderate alcohol intake (less than 2 drinks per day, excluding liquor and recommend red wine) might actually be of benefit.
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