This study examined the health effects of moderate drinking among older women. It also looked at the effects of smoking on health.
I. The Study: Drinking among Older Women
Researchers wanted to learn if the health effects of moderate drinking persisted into old age among women. They also looked at smoking tobacco. To do so, they examined drinking, smoking, and measures of health. Also, they looked at the death rate. The participants were 9,704 women age 65 or older. The researchers then followed them up after 10 and 20 years.
Findings
How did moderate drinkers compare with never-drinkers? After both 10 and 20 years, moderate drinkers had these.
How did smokers compare with non-smokers? That’s no surprise. Smokers had much poorer health and were much more likely to die.
In short, the researchers found that moderate drinking is good for health and long life among older women. Of course, tobacco smoking is bad for health and long life.1
The harmful results of smoking is well-known. Less well-known among the public is that moderate drinking benefits both health and long life.
Health Tips
There are three major ways to improve health and reduce risk of diseases. They also increase the chances of having a long life. They’re simple, but some may be hard to achieve.
- Don’t smoke.
- Maintain proper weight.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. It can be beer, wine, and/or spirits (liquor).
Remember that beer, wine, and spirits have the same general health benefits.
II. Resources
Web
- Drinking and Women’s Health: Alcohol’s Long-Term Effects.
- Moderate Drinking Improves Quality of Life among Women.
- Alcohol and Total Death Risk among Women.
- Risk of Osteoporosis and Drinking Alcohol.
- Drinkers Live Longer: Why Does Drinking Increase Length of Life?
- Drinking Alcohol and Risk of Frailty: Is Drinking Good or Bad?
- Risk of Osteoporosis and Drinking Alcohol.
- Drinkers Live Longer: Why Does Drinking Increase Length of Life?
- Drinking Alcohol and Risk of Frailty: Is Drinking Good or Bad?
- Do Older Adults Drink Enough Alcohol for Good Health?
- Drinking and Dementia, Alzheimer’s, & Memory Loss.
- Lifestyle and Cardiovascular Disease & Mortality among Middle-Aged & Older Women.
- Drinking Alcohol and Falls among Older Adults.
- Moderate Alcohol Drinking, Senility, and Longevity.
- Drinking and Frailty.
- Risk of Dementia Reduced by Drinking Alcohol in Moderation.
- Benefits of Moderate Drinking Result from Alcohol Itself.
- Do Older Adults Drink Enough Alcohol for Good Health?
Popular Readings
Footnote
- Nelson H. et al. Associations of Smoking, Moderate Alcohol Use, and Function. Geron Geri Med, 4, 1–9.
Note
- This site gives no advice. Please see your doctor with questions.