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does anyone know soneone who is teatotal? are they youthful more looking?

66 replies

Twobusyboys · 20/04/2014 13:28

Just that really. I notice myself looking quite tired lately. Just having the odd glass is difficult really. I always want another! I am thinking of becoming teatotal.

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tribpot · 20/04/2014 13:33

I am - obviously I can't comment on whether I look more youthful Grin I certainly feel and sleep better than when I was drinking. Why not give it a try and see how you feel? I'd suggest at least a month, and preferably three, to see if you notice a real difference.

Twobusyboys · 20/04/2014 13:36

Thanks. I go through phases of having a couple of glasses pretty much every day and notice how tired i am. So try to cut down to just weekends. But it inevitibly creaps up again. So wondering about cutting it out altogether. Was hoping for some success stories to give me the incentive!

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eurochick · 20/04/2014 13:39

Yes - I know one person and she looks much younger than her years.

ErrolTheDragonsEgg · 20/04/2014 13:42

I'm not teetotal, but hardly ever do drink - my DD said her friends estimated my age as 10 years less than it actually is.

Give it a go - you may well find you sleep better, and the worst that will happen is that you save enough money to buy lots of expensive cosmetics Wink

ggirl · 20/04/2014 13:42

yes i do .no she looks as old as her years tbh...

Mercatel · 20/04/2014 13:43

I like to think so Smile

Though seriously I think it may just be good genes. My sister drinks fairly frequently and looks younger than her years. Unless you drink excessively would it make an awful lot of difference? I don't know.

KaFayOLay · 20/04/2014 13:46

I am an identical twin. She drinks, I don't.
I look years younger than my true years and look years younger than her.

Make what you will of that!

hoppergrass · 20/04/2014 13:50

I am on week 8 of no alcohol, was feeling tired, stressed and worried my reliance was creeping up so decided to stop.

My goodness, what a difference to my appearance. I look a good 10 years younger I would say, my puffy face, dull, red and patchy skin and tired eyes have gone and I have cheekbones again. I don't need to wear makeup all the time now, for goodness sake! Incredible. My sister just came to see me and hadn't seen me for 10 weeks, she has now given up too, such was my change!

I am now sticking to it for sure. I sleep beautifully, get proper rest and am much more mindful of what I eat. Loads of wáter helps too.

Give it a go! I noticed a difference after a week. As tripbot says, at least a month for proper BIG difference! I'm looking forward to 3 months difference.

I was drinking up to a bottle a day though... far, far too much. But two large glasses is actually heading that way, I would try it.

tobybox · 20/04/2014 13:56

I know someone who abstains from most fun things.

She looks every year of her age and more! though that's probably more to do with her shrewish personality

Also, see Gillian McKeith.

Twobusyboys · 20/04/2014 13:58

Thanks everyone. I am starting to feel empowered now. going to give it a go.
Its great to hear real peoples experience. I googled alcohol and appearance and there are lots of articles of scientists listing the effects of alcohol but was thinking it would be great if someone did a study getting people to state if they are a regular drinker or not and getting general public to guess their age. That would be very interesting.

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Twobusyboys · 20/04/2014 13:59

Yes gillian mckeith isnt a great example at all. But i think she may have a few other health problems affecting her apearance.

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CharityCase · 20/04/2014 14:00

I think it depends why they don't drink. People who don't drink because they have a history of alcohol problems possibly don't look better than people who have drunk moderately their whole lives because the damage was done ages ago. I think it was "Bad Science" that pointed out that this is why studies that show moderate drinkers have better health outcomes than teetotalers are flawed- it fails to take into account why many people are strict teetotalers.

People who have never drunk possibly do look younger, but, recovering addicts excepted, people who don't drink at all often do for health reasons so the rest of their lifestyle is probably also mega-healthy.

Therefore it's difficult to separate out the booze impact.

And then there's the view that if you don't drink, smoke or stay out late, you don't live longer but it sure as hell feels like it Grin

Twobusyboys · 20/04/2014 14:03

Ok thats interedting charity. Often teatotalers are actually recovering alcoholics so have done lots of damage already. I was at a baby group the other day and there was a muslim women there. And her skin looked amazing. She was very beautiful. Bright eyes. Plump young loojing skin. She looked so much better than the rest of us! Of course she could have been 21 so may not be a clear example. But ut got me thinking about the no alcohol!

OP posts:
Fuckingforriner · 20/04/2014 14:05

Yes, lots and yes, they do look younger.

BackforGood · 20/04/2014 14:08

I know a few people, but difficult to say if they look younger, without a 'control' - can't believe that KaFayOLay has provided that for us! Shock and Grin

Raxacoricofallapatorius · 20/04/2014 14:09

I had a FB message from a school friend who found me recently and she said she couldn't believe I hadn't changed since school. I also braved a MN meet up once and was complimented on my skin several times with people asking 'what I use'. Nowt. Not even make-up. I don't drink, have never smoked and eat healthily and exercise lots. I do have good skin/hair/eyes and probably look about 10 years younger than I am. It's genes too though I think. My Mum is 60 and looks about 45. She doesn't drink/smoke/wear make-up either though.

ErrolTheDragonsEgg · 20/04/2014 14:11

Charity - yes, and some people don't drink because they have some other health issue. (the reason I don't drink much is because DH has to be careful because of meds).

TwoBusy - regardless of the effects on your looks, if you are finding that just having the odd glass is difficult and you always want another, then you would be wise to quit now.

tobiasfunke · 20/04/2014 14:12

I've been teetotal for the last 15 years. I am 45 but everyone is shocked when I tell them how old I am. Helps I'm a bit fat as it keeps the wrinkles at bay and I'm burn very easily so have stayed out of the sun for the last 45 years. My sister is 3 years younger than me and drinks quite a lot at the weekend- she looks her age.

JeanetteAndDougiefromMancheste · 20/04/2014 14:15

I don't drink and I look like a hag.

Grennie · 20/04/2014 14:15

My partner has an alcoholic drink about twice a year, and yes at 50, looks youthful. Me on the otherhand...

satintaupe · 20/04/2014 14:17

I don't drink alcohol and I look younger than my age, but I don't drink it because I hate the taste and it does nothing for me. However, I don't smoke or sunbathe either.

tribpot · 20/04/2014 14:24

Leeds PCT did a campaign last year highlighting how ageing the effects of alcohol are. You uploaded a photo of your face and it would age you based on how much you expected to drink over the next 10 years.

CharityCase · 20/04/2014 14:25

I reckon the sun has done me more damage than the wine. I think I might have been a reptile in a former life. I actually like sun that is so hot you feel like you're frazzling.

RonaldMcDonald · 20/04/2014 14:30

no

I do know a former heroin addict who is extremely youthful looking
She puts this down to spending her youth inside, mostly asleep

Coumarin · 20/04/2014 15:01

I don't drink and I look younger than I am. I looked younger than I was when I was a teenager and drank though so not sure the two are related.

My Mam doesn't drink and looks a lot younger too.

I think it's most likely just genetics.

Although smoking definitely ages people.

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