Before everyone starts running to the closest liquor store, let's take a look at why moderate drinkers outlive nondrinkers. It seems to be the case in European countries where people have less cardiac problems then in the U.S. The children are taught to have wine with every meal from a young age. It's cultural, not behavioral. Ask any Italian or Parisian. Wine to them is like Pepsi to us...Drink up!
The study completed by a team at the University of Texas at Austin followed the mortality rate of 1,824 people between the ages of 55 and 65 over a 20 year period.
The authors of the study noted that although it may increase life expectancy, heavy drinking is a significant cause of many health problems including cirrhosis, cancer and brain damage.
Scientists speculated that the mortality rate of heavy drinkers is able to surpass that of non drinkers despite these risks because of the added social benefits of drinking. Those who consume alcohol are more likely to take part in social interactions which have been proven to be an important factor in maintaining health and increasing longevity. They also speculated that abstainers tend to come from lower socioeconomic classes as well as they have other stressors that might contribute to their decreased life spans.
The authors warned against taking their findings to mean significant alcohol consumption and binge drinking are a good idea, since drinking can be addictive and, if done excessively, can impair the memory as well as motor and reasoning skills.
Once again it's about moderation. A glass of wine with your meal is a positive. The alcohol helps keep arteries free from plaque and actually helps toward fighting heart disease. So the next time your out socially and feel like a glass of Pinot Noir...Go for it!... It will do the body a world of good.....
For more info on heart disease in the Palm Beach area, the local American Heart Disease website has all the resources you'll need. Here is their link: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/WestPalmBeach/Florida/Home_UCM_GSA019_AffiliatePage.jsp
My Contact: LisaRKohl@aol.com Email me anytime. (Always confidential) Thank you for subscribing to both my columns...:)
Comments
Excellent article! My doctor told me to have a glass of red wine with my dinner. Your article is so right!
It's true that europeans have less heart disease then the U.S. I drink a glass of wine before bed while I'm reading. I sleep like a baby!
My cardiologist told me to drink red wine. It's better for the heart. I have a glass every night with dinner.
Your article makes sense, Lisa. Alcohol prevents plaque from forming in the arteries. (I'm a nurse also!) Like someone else said, red wine is better. It's more heart friendly.
Terrific article. I like that they did the study on the elderly. Over 20 years. Those are the years when heart disease is most prevalent.
I was raised in the days my grand parents made red wine, my aunts drank a glass and so did my Mother they raised veggies and never smoked, I lost my Mother with chf at 61yrs old my Father at 62 the Aunts at 65yrs one Aunt at 78 the other at 69 all with Heart trouble. I never used Drugs, smoked, or been over-weight and lived a healthy life but had stress as others members . so its not the wine helping the arteries. it just makes you forget the problems and relax you. I have Heart problems and my Daughter is 50 yrs and had a triple by-pass. Surely wine did not help this Family. I would tell people a glass is fine with dinner and helps with the cooking of Food. but it will not prevent illness maybe make you Happy for awhile as I came from a Happy Family.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!