In the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research suggests that for reasons that no one really understands, not drinking alcohol actually increases one's risk of dying.
The most surprising thing is, people who don't drink have mortality rates that are much higher than moderate drinkers.
Moderate drinking, meaning, one to three drinks per day, is the group with the lowest mortality rates in alcohol studies.
But why would not drinking alcohol lead to a shorter life?
Perhaps there is no definitive answer, but moderate alcohol use is thought to improve heart health and circulation.
Any other explanation is probably mere speculation.
Researchers found that over a 20-year period, mortality rates were highest for those who had never been drinkers, second-highest for heavy drinkers and lowest for moderate drinkers.
The 1,824 participants were followed for 20 years.
Almost 70% % of the never-drinkers died during those 20 years, 60% of the heavy drinkers died and only 41% of moderate drinkers died.
Even though heavy drinking is associated with higher health risks, heavy drinkers are less likely to die than people who have never drank alcohol.
The authors of the new paper are careful to point out that even though drinking is associated with longer life, it can also mess up your life.
When a person becomes dependent and addicted to alcohol, much of their longer life may be spent trying to get off the bottle.
