Nondrinkers May Have Higher Mortality Risk Than Light Drinkers, but Reasons for Abstaining Make a Bi - Polidicks

[url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130719085257.htm[/url] [QUOTE][B]As a class, people who don't drink at all have a higher mortality risk than light drinkers. But nondrinkers are a diverse bunch, and the reasons people have for abstaining affects their individual mortality risk, in some cases lowering it on par with the risk for light drinkers, according to a University of Colorado study.[/B] Multiple studies have shown that the likelihood of dying for people who drink increases as they consume more alcohol. Those same studies have shown that a person's mortality risk also increases at the other end of the spectrum -- among people who choose not to drink at all -- though the risk is still much less than for heavy drinkers. Some researchers have hypothesized that the increased mortality among nondrinkers could be related to the fact that light alcohol consumption -- drinking, on average, less than one drink a day -- might actually protect people from disease and reduce their stress levels. But researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, working with colleagues at the University of Colorado Denver, decided to examine whether characteristics of different subgroups of nondrinkers could explain the increased mortality risk. "Among nondrinkers, people have all sorts of background reasons for why they don't drink," said sociology Professor Richard Rogers, director of CU-Boulder's Population Program in the Institute of Behavioral Science. "We wanted to tease that out because it's not really informative to just assume that nondrinkers are a unified group." For the new study, published in last month's issue of the journal Population Research and Policy Review, Rogers and his colleagues relied on data collected in 1988 by the National Health Interview Survey about the drinking habits of more than 41,000 people from across the United States. The researchers also had access to information about which respondents died between taking the survey and 2006. During the survey, nondrinkers were asked to provide their reasons for not drinking. Possible answers ranged from "don't socialize very much" to "am an alcoholic" to "religious or moral reasons." The research team divided nondrinkers into three general categories: "abstainers," or people who have never had more than 12 drinks in their lives; "infrequent drinkers," or people who have fewer than 12 drinks a year; and "former drinkers." Each category was further divided using a statistical technique that grouped people together who gave similar clusters of reasons for not drinking. The team then calculated the mortality risk for each subgroup compared with the mortality risk for light drinkers, and they found that the risks varied markedly. Abstainers who chose not to drink for a cluster of reasons that included religious or moral motivations, being brought up not to drink, responsibilities to their family, as well as not liking the taste, had similar mortality risks over the follow-up period to light drinkers. "So this idea that nondrinkers always have higher mortality than light drinkers isn't true," Rogers said. "You can find some groups of nondrinkers who have similar mortality risks to light drinkers." The other subgroup of abstainers -- whose largest reason for not drinking appeared to be a dislike of the taste and to a lesser degree family responsibilities, religious or moral motivations or upbringing -- had a 17 percent higher mortality risk over the follow-up period compared with light drinkers. The scientists also found that infrequent drinkers generally had a slightly higher mortality risk than light drinkers. Former drinkers, however, had the highest mortality risk of all nondrinkers. Former drinkers whose cluster of reasons for not drinking now included being an alcoholic and problems with drinking, for example, had a 38 percent higher mortality risk than light drinkers over the follow-up period. By comparison, people who drink between one and two drinks per day, on average, have a 9 percent higher mortality rate than light drinkers, while people who drink between two and three drinks per day have a 49 percent higher mortality. People who consume more than three drinks per day had a 58 percent higher mortality risk over the follow-up period compared with light drinkers. Despite confirming that some subgroups of nondrinkers have a higher mortality rate than light drinkers, it doesn't necessarily follow that those people's mortality rates would fall if they began drinking, Rogers said. For example, people who were problem drinkers in the past might increase their mortality risk further by starting to drink again. Also, people who don't drink at all, as a group, have lower socioeconomic characteristics than light drinkers, which could be one of the underlying causes for the mortality differences, Rogers said. In that case, starting to drink without changing a person's socioeconomic status also would not likely lower mortality rates. "I think the idea that drinking could be somewhat beneficial seems like it's overstated," Rogers said. "There may be other factors that lower mortality for light drinkers. It's not just the act of drinking."[/QUOTE]

I'll somehow use this as an excuse to keep drinking. Now I'm thirsty.

I'm an abstainer so I am fine, yay.

I don't drink any alcohol, as it will apparently prolong your life and save you money. I am taking ALLAH, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad's word for it. [QUOTE=breakyourfac;41520666]Bringing religion into threads is bannable, you should snip your shitty post.[/QUOTE] I call people by what they call themselves. That is what he is called, and so that's what I will say his name as. I think it shows respect to call someone by what they call themselves. And when I'm saying I'm taking his word for it, I'm saying that I consume what he says is safe to eat and avoid what is not. Following a certain diet has nothing to do with religion.

[QUOTE=Otsegolation;41520436]I don't drink any alcohol, as it will prolong your life and save you money. I am taking ALLAH, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad's word for it.[/QUOTE] You do realize that people don't just refuse to drink alchohol for religous reasons, right? Like people might come from a family of alcoholics and not want to go down the same road, they might not like the concept of it warping their judgement, etc.?

I don't drink alcohol because personally I don't see enjoyment out of it. What's the point? I'd rather drink a coke over a beer any day. I don't give a shit what anyone else wants to put in their body.

Mom's a functioning alcoholic, but it showed me how nasty people can get when they're drunk all the time, so that steered me away from it. Doesn't help that it tastes like shit 90% of the time.

[QUOTE=Rellow;41520517]You do realize that people don't just refuse to drink alchohol for religous reasons, right? Like people might come from a family of alcoholics and not want to go down the same road, they might not like the concept of it warping their judgement, etc.?[/QUOTE] Uuh, yes they do.

[QUOTE=evilweazel;41520538]Mom's a functioning alcoholic, but it showed me how nasty people can get when they're drunk all the time, so that steered me away from it. Doesn't help that it tastes like shit 90% of the time.[/QUOTE]Everyone's different. Like me, I only drink to have a good time with friends. Hell, it makes for some pretty hilarious moments.

I like the taste of some alcohols and I only tend to drink when I'm with really good friends and we decide to have a good time.

[QUOTE=redBadger;41520534]I don't drink alcohol because personally I don't see enjoyment out of it. What's the point? I'd rather drink a coke over a beer any day. I don't give a shit what anyone else wants to put in their body.[/QUOTE] People drink because it makes you feel fucking good, that's where the enjoyment stems from. And I'm not sure why you're comparing soda to alcohol, they have entirely different purposes.

So what about people who simply aren't interested in it? Article didn't mention that sort of person.

I like to avoid getting too drunk because last time I did, I ended up dancing with my friends equally drunk mother for about an hour.

[QUOTE=Rellow;41520517]Like people might come from a family of alcoholics and not want to go down the same road, they might not like the concept of it warping their judgement, etc.?[/QUOTE] I expect these are quite a big reason amongst non-religious abstainers. I know for a few years I kinda thought it was because I didn't like the taste (and I still don't for a lot of alcohol), but I worked out the main reason is I didn't want to become my father, an abusive alcoholic. Then I realised I am nothing like him, I can exercise restraint and avoid addiction, thought "fuck that", and started drinking with friends when at parties or on nights out, makes them all a fair bit more enjoyable. Quite an interesting study, might be worth reading it in more depth.

[QUOTE=Otsegolation;41520436]I don't drink any alcohol, as it will prolong your life and save you money. I am taking ALLAH, in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad's word for it.[/QUOTE] Bringing religion into threads is bannable, you should snip your shitty post. [highlight](User was banned for this post ("Backseat modding" - Craptasket))[/highlight]

I don't drink because I hate the taste of alcohol, it's expensive and makes me feel awful the day afterwards.

I don't drink because of genetics. Every male on my fathers side is/was a heavy and abusive drinker. I'm not going to touch that shit and end up like my dad.

I hate it when abstainers think their better than drinkers, or vice versa. Why can't some of you guys just respect other people's choices?

Yay, I'm a light drinker.

[QUOTE=Madtoker;41520704]I hate it when abstainers think their better than drinkers, or vice versa. Why can't some of you guys just respect other people's choices?[/QUOTE] You can respect a person's choice all you want but it doesn't make it any less dumb. I personally think it's silly to use alcohol and other drugs as a crutch to feel good at the cost of your health; but smoke weed all day and get drunk, I don't give a shit do what you want.

[QUOTE=Mr._N;41520711]Yay, I'm a light drinker.[/QUOTE] How does light taste?

I'd drink more raddler if it didnt taste so much like beer and almost nothing of lemon.

[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;41520725]You can respect a person's choice all you want but it doesn't make it any less dumb. I personally think it's silly to use alcohol and other drugs as a crutch to feel good at the cost of your health; but smoke weed all day and get drunk, I don't give a shit do what you want.[/QUOTE] Just because your father and his family cannot control themselves on alcohol doesn't make it dumb. It's only dumb when it's not done in moderation.

[QUOTE=Starpluck;41520754]Just because your father and his family cannot control themselves on alcohol doesn't make it dumb. It's only dumb when it's not done in moderation.[/QUOTE] Exactly! My father didn't care if I were to drink or smoke, I used to smoke pot with him when i was still in highschool. He always told me "theres a time and a place".

[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;41520725]You can respect a person's choice all you want but it doesn't make it any less dumb. I personally think it's silly to use alcohol and other drugs as a crutch to feel good at the cost of your health; but smoke weed all day and get drunk, I don't give a shit do what you want.[/QUOTE] I'm not even big on drinking and I can quite safely say it won't kill you straight away, from the moment it touches your lips. As long as you show some restraint alcohol is relatively harmless, what you do while drunk however, might not be. But that would be your fault for getting so shitfaced you'd happily run in front of a bus or something.

[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;41520696]I don't drink because of genetics. Every male on my fathers side is/was a heavy and abusive drinker. I'm not going to touch that shit and end up like my dad.[/QUOTE] I remember when I used to say this but about my mom. And then I started drinking. I'd rather use my mom as testament to drinking [I]responsibly[/I] instead of not drinking at all.

[QUOTE=Rellow;41520517]Like people might come from a family of alcoholics and not want to go down the same road, they might not like the concept of it warping their judgement, etc.?[/QUOTE] That would be me. I hate the man that my father is because he constantly need to steal, threaten, or manipulate people to get the money he needs to get his next bottle. If I ever have children, I wouldn't ever want to put them through a similar scenario. EDIT: The way I look at it, no one starts drinking intending to end up an alcholic, but under certain conditions will lead to it. I'd rather avoid drinking altogether and find different ways to relieve my stress or social experiences then wind up with a serious detrimental quality.

[QUOTE=Starpluck;41520754]Just because your father and his family cannot control themselves on alcohol doesn't make it dumb. It's only dumb when it's not done in moderation.[/QUOTE] Even in moderation it's still detrimental to your health. You don't think it's silly to sacrifice your health to feel good for a few hours? [editline]19th July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=PassTheBong;41520792]I remember when I used to say this but about my mom. And then I started drinking. I'd rather use my mom as testament to drinking [I]responsibly[/I] instead of not drinking at all.[/QUOTE] The gene that my family is afflicted with is only/mostly passed through males, so I probably have it but my twin sister most likely doesn't.

[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;41520798]Even in moderation it's still detrimental to your health. You don't think it's silly to sacrifice your health to feel good for a few hours?[/QUOTE] Drinking in moderation is not "sacrificing" your health.

[QUOTE=Starpluck;41520813]Drinking in moderation is hardly "sacrificing" your health.[/QUOTE] I'll give you that, saying "sacrificing" is a bit exaggerative but it's still not that great for you.