Pubs or more exactly going out for a drink with friends to a local bar might have a good influence on the health according to a new British study.
Following the winter holiday, January has been declared Dry January. As drinking is usually frowned upon, a new study took a different approach. It went to prove that drinking with moderation may actually be a good thing.
The study that contradicts most others was carried out in Great Britain. A team of Oxford University researchers is behind the new find. They were led by professor Robin Dunbar. He is part of the Experimental Psychology department of Oxford University.
Study results were released earlier this month. They were published in the Adaptive Human Behaviour and Physiology journal.
The researcher set out to study the social cohesion. They were trying to improve it and to determine its value. In carrying out the study, the researchers analyzed various facts.
The type of venue, for example, pubs or clubs, was taken into consideration. Alcohol consumption levels and frequency were also analyzed.
- Data for the study came from three sources.
- One study observed the conversational behavior of people frequenting pubs.
- Another source was a questionnaire-based study. This latter was carried out amongst pub clientele.
- The last source was CAMRA.
CAMRA is the Campaign for Real Ale. This is a nation-wide campaign carried out in Great Britain.
The aforementioned study lead went to offer details. Dunbar explained that social networks are a very important part of our lives. They can be a buffer against physical and mental illnesses.
Pubs, in their turn, offer a place for community socializing. Alcohol can also play a part. A moderate consumption can trigger the endorphin system. As endorphins are released, a person’s social bonding was seen to increase.
The study determined that frequenting a local pub or locale can have a positive outcome. It could directly affect a person’s social network. Local community engagement can also be advanced through such a custom.
Taken together, these factors can have an impact on a person’s life. They may affect their degree of satisfaction.
Study and survey results showed the following. People that regularly visit a pub or local have revealed a higher social engagement. They are also reportedly feeling more content. Such members are also more likely to engage with their local community.
Local pub drinkers were seen to socialize in smaller groups. This can encourage a whole-group discussion. All the members can get involved in such a conversation.
City center bars or clubs tend to host larger groups. These latter were seen to mostly divide into smaller conversation groups. As such, a whole-group discussion is harder to attain. Members were also seen to participate less in group conversations.
Those who drank at local pubs were seen to present another difference. They were noted to have a higher average number of close friends. An average came to 8 such friends. Non-drinkers were estimated to have an average 6 such social circle.
Colin Valentine, the National Chairman of the CAMRA, also released a statement. According to him, personal content can have a significant impact on the local community. He also pointed out that pubs and local gathering places have a unique role.
They offer a social environment. In it, people can meet up with friends, drink responsibly, and have a good time. This has now been potentially proven to improve the health.
However, the study did point out the need for a moderate alcohol consumption. Alcohol can have social benefits. But it can also damage the health if consumed in too large quantities.
Image Source: Wikimedia
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.