Heavy Drinkers Live Longer Than Nondrinkers, Study Says

A new study that was recently published in the medical journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research indicates that heavy drinkers tend to live longer than those who completely abstain from alcohol consumption.

The study which was commissioned by a team at the University of Texas at Austin tracked the mortality rate of 1,824 people between the ages of 55 and 65 over a 20 year period. The researchers found that 60% of those classified as heavy drinkers died over the course of the two decade study while 69% of those classified as non-drinkers died during that time. However, both groups incurred a significantly higher death rate than moderate drinkers (for the purpose of the study, those who consumed three drinks or less per day), of whom only 41% died during the study.

In further analysis of their data, the researchers also concluded that even when taking into account variables like income, physical activity, and past history of alcoholism, heavy drinkers tend to outlive teetotalers. These findings seem to refute the claims of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous who argue that the mortality rate of non-drinkers is often inflated in studies because that group typically includes many former heavy drinkers who suffer from the long term health effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

In accounting for their results 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, certain kinds of cancer, and brain damage. They speculated that the mortality rate of heavy drinkers is able to exceed 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.