We all know a few virtuous teetotallers who inevitably (if not purposefully) make us feel just that tad hedonistic not to mention unhealthy. However research released this week from the U.S. government suggests that those who drink alcohol tend to be more active.
Researchers found that in general the time people devoted to exercise correlated with the number of units consumed on a monthly basis.
In comparison to abstainers, those who had approximately 40 drinks a month exercised for an average of 20 minutes longer per week while who drank between 15-40, worked-out 10 minutes more.
For the party goers out there don't get too excited, the findings to not mean that alcohol is the key to a healthy active life by any means.
Leader of the study Dr Michael T. French of the University of Miami told Reuters that ,‘ we certainly would not advocate that abstainers should start drinking as a way to increase their exercise.’
A potential explanation for the findings, French stated, was that drinkers may use exercise as away to shave off the calories consumed on a night out.
Moderate alcohol consumption has, in other studies, proven to have some other health benefits including the reduced risk of heart disease.
The take home message of course being drink sensibly and safely.
YOUR SAY: Do you exercise to make up for the alcohol you consume?
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