Most reliable previous studies on alcohol consumption also showed negative health effects for levels at and above 3 drinks a day. This study is in general agreement with findings for higher consumptions. Any health benefits at low consumption levels were previously estimated to be minimal.
I think the alcohol studies are a little more consistent. The debate mostly seems to be about exactly how much harm very moderate drinking does to your health. The one issue I haven't found any studies on, but have seen mentioned in the discussion portion of some studies on the health effects, is what the psychological benefits of engaging in culturally important alcohol consumption are. Seems to me that shared experiences of inebriation are something that all human societies have pursued, so I would assume there is some value to the participants. But I wouldn't expect to see any new and shocking evidence that regular and heavy alcohol usage is suddenly found to be the next great health craze
Not at all what I was implying. Google search: studies on moderate alcohol consumption About 101,000,000 results (0.69 seconds) No way of knowing the percentages pro or con, but you can bet it's probably close to 50/50. As was misquoted earlier, but is a good outlook on life: Moderation in all things, including moderation.
This is going to sound overly combative but I'm really not trying to be rude. If there's no way of knowing the percentages, how can you bet it's probably close to 50/50? That's essentially wish fulfillment. Clinical studies, for the most part, outline methods and data to support their conclusion. It's all there to go look at. The guy with the background in substance abuse treatment is not making stuff up.
Just basing it on my experiences of hearing opposing study results every other month over the years. But feel free to look into it. And no "wish fulfillment" involved, I'm one of those who's cut back for health reasons over the years, and happier for it. It's just a healthy skepticism of those multiple (upon multiple) clinical studies you speak of. As I said, look up coffee studies, to keep it out of the substance abuse category (for the most part).
Well into my 70's, retired... Brewery visits 2+ times a week, now that we are vaccinated and COVID is no longer spreading like a Texas grass fire on a windy day, and a refrigerator full of craft beer at home, most from local breweries. During COVID lock-downs, I didn't cut back on beer, but lost 20 pounds. Can only attribute that to eating better at home, vs. the burger and fries, and other goodies from food trucks at the breweries. I like wine, but not the headache that it gives me. Used to like Bourbon, but I've lost my taste for that also.
47 here and keep it to one or two on the per night on the weekends and perhaps a couple during the week. Just not interested in putting in that much liquid at a clip. Health is definitely a factor when watching your BP and cholesterol. Since the legalization is sweeping the nation an edible and a high ABV beer or a couple hi balls and it's an evening on the weekends.
I'm 47 as well, I have a beer or two if I'm cooking dinner maybe once a week, a couple on the Fi-Sat nights but that's about it, most of the time I don't have the time (3 young kids) My old man (78) was a couple Coors lights after work drinker my entire life. He claims he can't drink as much beer now because of digestion, and then drinks two whatever local (New Hampshire) IPA is on sale at Market Basket and complains its too hoppy and gives him indigestion. Now I have a goal.
I’ve moved on to bourbon. I do still enjoy a beer now and then but it’s pretty rare. Maybe bourbon is just shiny and new to me and I’ll burn out on it too and move to something else. Or back to beer.
I’ve read through the first few posts, and as a BA who qualifies as “older” (statistically in the final 1/3 of my life) I’ll weigh in. I started getting serious about beer late—coinciding loosely with becoming a dad, which also happened relatively late. But yes, as my 40s rolled into my 50s I’ve cut back quite a bit. I’ve thankfully never had a problem from a substance-abuse/addiction perspective (I don’t know a lot about addiction but I think maybe I’m not wired that way, who knows)—but I’ve definitely seen the effects on my weight and with COVID that was a double whammy. Since around June of last year I’ve made a concerted effort to lose weight—I really just got tired of being a lot heavier than I should be, and my blood work has been showing elevated enzyme levels that indicate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (or whatever they are calling it now). Losing about 30 pounds over the last few months instantly got those numbers back in line, and I feel a lot better too. I was actually amazed by that. So I can’t really imagine beer never being a part of my life—but I’ll regularly go days or weeks without having one. Ten years ago I think I was trying to make up for lost time, and my body paid a pretty high price. The good news is, it’s not that hard (for me anyway) to cut back and I actually enjoy beer more now because it’s kind of a special occasion whenever I have one. To each one’s own.
NA beer threads, Weight loss threads, Fitness threads, Quitting Beer threads, Dear Abby threads - maybe it's time to start the Anti-Alcohol forum under the Other Interests category to prevent these topics from clogging up the main General Interest beer forums?
Critic is not exactly the opposite of advocate. By the 50s the brewing industry's U. S. Brewers Assn. USBA had adopted the slogan "America's Beverage of Moderation". https://clickamericana.com/topics/f...t-americas-beverage-of-moderation-1940s-1950s The USBA produced ads that they felt would advocate for their products. But at the same time the advertising was delivering a message encouraging moderate consumption. The ad might be interpreted as an implicit criticism of high alcohol beer.
Thank you Captain Pedantic -- or maybe you missed the emoji that meant I wasn't being serious. Or at least not as serious as you.
I'm a work in progress at 55. I mostly stay away from high abv but something grabs my attention now and again. If I'm doing a flight, I'll still throw one in.
60 here and still enjoying the big IPAs and even bigger Stouts. I do notice that my recovery period is longer after a big night than it used to be.
I’m 49 and I’ve started to cut back from 7 days to Friday-Sun (in lower quantities). Just not super happy with my weight. I exercise 4-5 days a week, but can’t drop the lbs. Been doing this for about a month and I’ve lost about 8lbs and just generally feel and sleep better. COVID really put a damper on meet-ups and shares, and it just doesn’t have the allure for me it did. I still enjoy visiting the local taprooms and hoisting a couple with friends, but I’m really not that interested in chasing beer anymore.
This hobby improved considerably for me when I stopped "chasing". But I think it's a phase everyone goes through. I know I have access to good beer when I want it, so why bother hustling to get the next hyped beer that will probably disappoint?
I've noticed some drop. As you get older, you run the risk of diabetes 2 and need to cut back on carbs. That is the situation I am in in my 60s. But . . . damn, I love beer. So, I cannot give it up completely until some doc tells me its life or death. Had some Weihenstephaner last night. But, I am drinking a G&T right now. Based on my observation of my family, as you get into your 60's and beyond, many either stopped or severely cut back. My grandfather gave up beer and other drinks after his first heart attack in his 50s. But, I am in my mid 60s now and am thinking more along the lines of do I want to live another five years without the things I enjoy.
I myself, almost 50, have also gotten into bourbon. I still love beer as well. I think my tastes continue to mature with age and seek other things. I also now like a good cigar with my beer or bourbon.
I mean, geez, who needs all this sort of monastic anti-hedonism on a forum dedicated to drinking and enjoying and loving beer!!! This place seems to be overrun with Pure Prairie Leaguers...I do not understand why they'd want to be here but to each his own I guess.
I'm 72, quit for 8 years in the 80s to save my marriage and relationship with my two children. I started back up moderately once I got my life in order (ie. found a job that I didn't hate which was the real source of my problems) and life has been great (my children give me difficult for me to find beer for Christmas). Alcoholism runs in my family so I must be a genetic freak in that it was no problem for me to stop cold turkey (unlike my brother and my late parents, cigarettes have no appeal for me). I think my physiology is generally non addictive (they gave me oxy for back pain once and I ended up tossing them) but I just like good beer.
...and yet you're posting on this thread, so you must have some interest on the topic. I've been enjoying reading everyone's stories. Seems like most of us are making it work despite the challenges of getting older. I see the positive side.
I've been struggling with this too. I just can't bring myself to eliminate the Gosling Black Seal Rum and lime from that ginger beer. All kidding aside, I think as we become older, we need to make some adjustments. I am not to the NA beers yet, but when I was in college, I drank more NAs than regular beer because I needed to stay sharp under pressure. But, I can see these in the near future. I remember Kaliber being my fave back in the old days.
Yeah . . . I got married and had kids. Time just flew at warp speed. In my head, I am still 30 wondering where Duran Duran is.
