The Benefits of the Social Drink

When the University of Oxford published a study in 2017 demonstrating that moderate alcohol consumption in a social setting improves one’s well being, many were puzzled, whilst others were slightly relieved at the fact their weekly pub session may actually be ok?! 

Yes, it turns out that individuals who have a local that they visit on a regular basis tend to be not only happier but healthier overall. How can this be you ask? Pint after pint followed by a greasy parmigiana! Well, who would have thought that happiness equals less stress which then equals a healthier body. Social connections within smaller networks have been shown to build trust, comradery and heap of the happy hormone serotonin. 

Although alcohol has a direct correlation with the development of many diseases and poor mental health, small amounts of booze in a social setting may actually have the opposite effect. Professor Robin Dunbar of Oxford’s Experimental Psychology department believes ‘our social networks provide us with the single most important buffer against mental and physical illness’. 

This brings us to the importance of the pub. Traditionally, the local pub has always offered a place for community socialising across many generations. When you match this with the science, moderate alcohol tends to trigger endorphins which promote social bonding. This goes even farther as a night out is often associated with some sort of drunken dancing, singing rather shocking 80’s rock ballads and the sharing of stories such as ‘how much of a bitch Stacey is’. Think of the Nona’s in the Mediterranean who get together most days and share a glass of red. Their longevity and lack of chronic disease kind of demonstrates that despite what you consume, the quality of your mind may have an even larger effect than you think.  

Undoubtedly, personal wellbeing and happiness is associated with a higher life expectancy and better quality of life. In a world more disconnected and lonelier than ever, it highlights the importance of real and authentic human interaction. Pub’s and other establishments or get-togethers, seems to have a massive impact on individuals lives and the broader community.  What great news it is to hear when confirmed by science!

What are you waiting for? Go grab a beer with your mates. 

References:

Dunbar, R.I.M., Launay, J., Wlodarski, R. et al. Functional Benefits of (Modest) Alcohol Consumption. Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology 3, 118–133 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-016-0058-4