Drinkers Live Longer

Time published an article earlier this week about the benefits of drinking.  This wasn't the coy, sophisticated, drink a glass of red wine every day argument.  They laid it out; heavy drinkers live longer than abstainers, pure and simple.

My drinking waxes and wanes.  I've been a big wine collector for a number of years and have had to really fight my acquisitive nature since I've been on the road.  I still tote several bottles along with me from house to house.  I'll go along for awhile having a glass of wine every evening and then I'll go awhile without having a drink at all. 

I like my glass of wine but I dislike the tired, fuzzy feeling I sometimes end up with if I have a second.  On a hot evening I yearn for a gin and tonic.  Hot afternoons working in the yard make me want a cold beer.  Along with the talking and laughing, afternoons with my girlfriends tend to involve hours of sipping.  I drink more when I'm with other people and less when I'm alone.

There may be too many variables in the drinking equation to really quantify.  The article says that people from lower socioeconomic groups drink less because drinking is expensive.  As someone who has spent most of her life in a poor area I'd say that socioeconomics only changes what you drink, not if you drink.  In other words, beer instead of liquor.  

Like the studies that say dark chocolate is a good thing, a lot of us are going to love the idea that a candy bar and a drink are actually good for us.  I had a glass of a very good Zinfandel this evening, all in the name of longevity.  Not sure I'm entirely onboard with this study but I can think of worse ways to grow old!