WOMEN AND ALCOHOL: Moderate consumption extend quality of life

This study concerns the middle-aged women who regularly consume one or two drinks and would reap a small profit, later in life, after 70 years. This research indeed shows that moderate and steady between 50 and 60, one or two glasses of wine a day reduces the risk slightly in women from major chronic diseases and cognitive decline later in the old age. Results published in the September 6 edition of the journal PLoS Medicine.

This study from Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School was conducted using data from the Nurses' Health Study of 13,894 American nurses, alcohol consumption in middle age (average age 58 years) and their likely to be free of major chronic diseases and mental retardation later in life.

A light to moderate consumption of alcohol (0.6 to 3.75 units per day of beer, wine or spirits) during the quarantine is associated with a small reduction in risk (2.1%) at age compared to 70 women completely sober. Consumption of the participants was assessed by questionnaire "food" classic. Diseases considered later at the age of 70 years included cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cognitive disorders, physical disabilities and mental disorders. Other factors such as age, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, etc ... have been taken into account in analyzing the results.

Among eligible participants, 10.7% have "demonstrated" successful aging.

A quarter of women do not drink in their forties, while 62.1% use about one drink per day, 9.8% consumed one to two drinks per day and 9 , 8% use two to three glasses a day.

· The light drinkers in their forties (5.1 to 15 g of alcohol per day or 0.6 to 1.9 units) have an increased chance of successful aging 19% (OR 1.19, CI: 95% from 1.01 to 1.40) vs non-drinkers. The absolute difference between the proportions of women in the two cases with successful aging is low (2%).

· The moderate drinkers in their forties (5.1g to 30g of alcohol, or from 0.6 to 3.75 units per day) have an increased chance of successful aging 28% (OR 1.28, CI: 95% 1.3 to 1.58) compared to non-drinkers. The absolute difference is 2.2%.

· The study also found that women who spread their consumption evenly over the week have a greater benefit to those who consume in fits and starts.

Overall, this research is consistent with other research showing that drinking low to moderate may be associated with a modest improvement in overall health status of women in old age.

Posted in: Women health