Good News

[Fiona]

Today the Guardian newspaper reported research by the Australian National University showing that moderate drinking improves verbal skills, memory, and speed of thinking. Teetotallers did worse and the level defined as moderate was 14-28 standard drinks a week for men; half that for women . Moderate drinkers were also healthier.

[dragon wench]

lol! Does that mean if I increase my weekly drinking levels my dreadful memory will improve?
Though... I'm sure I come close to drinking between 7 and 14 alcoholic beverages in a week, my faulty memory must be due to senility setting in or something

You wouldn't have a link to the article per chance, would you?

[Magrus]

Wonderful news, however, I do believe that has to be spread out in a somewhat even amount. I tend to drink about half that or more a night when I do drink. That shouldn't be too healthy.

Luckily, my tolerance went down to near nothing from barely drinking the past two months or so. I can drink just a few shots and be drunk and stop, that might end up being healthier for me.

@DW, I'm sure it's because you have far more important things to recall.

[Fiona]

@Dragon Wench.

you will find the article here:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/australia/...542092,00.html

[fable]

Mind, I'm all for the drinking part, but I'm curious about the actual tests conducted. As reported, there's no clear indication that it's the alcohol which results in the memory gain, improved verbal skills or speed of thought. It could just as easily be the result of sub-cultural effects, in which Group X drinks little and also displays lesser mental skills, while Group Y drinks slightly more and displays higher mental skills. Or there may be other shared but non-cultural factors affecting performance.

As usual, newspapers are a poor source of information from scientific studies.

[Fiona]

@ Fable

Of course you're right. I don't believe a hard science approach is useful in explaining human behaviour very often. But it is what we're using at present and lately everything seems to have been so anti-fun. If it's good enough to tell us we should be "good", it's good enough to tell us to enjoy ourselves

[Xandax]

I really question this study and this quote from the article says it all:

Quote:

"This does not necessarily show moderate alcohol use is good for our brains - there may be other reasons we haven't measured to explain the poor performance of non-drinkers," Dr Rodgers said.

Now - it has often been stated in the past that some alcohol is good for you due to the various effects (naturally - the oppersite has been stated as well, but currently it is more beneficial to drink a little then not at all it seems).
But from this to conclude that "moderate" (which is also very subjective) drinkers are better thinkers than teetotallers or those who overindulge. seems like quite the leap of faith.

Also remember that some people might not be truthful about their answers about how much they drink - some of the "moderate" drinkers might be alcoholics or vice versa - a non-drinker might claim to drink "moderate".
To many unknown factors....

Pseudo-science at the best. A case for the Discovery Channel's Myth Busters I think

[Denethorn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magrus I can drink just a few shots and be drunk and stop, that might end up being healthier for me.

This is heresey!

Quote:

moderate was 14-28 standard drinks a week for men

14 units? Thats one small bottle of rum . Can polish that off in one night (with a degree of effort and self control). In fairness though I don't seriously binge out very often. Once a month at most. Most nights it just one or two beers (maybe three ) which is 'moderate' drinking I hope

[Magrus]

I can kill the "14-28 units a week" in a night of partying with my friends all on my own. *shrugs* It's one of my "bad habits" I'm not giving up.

Heresy? Nah, it's saving me money. I can still keep drinking if I want, no problem there friend.