According to American researchers, marriage brings great health benefits, especially for men in heterosexual marriages.
- In 2021, in France, 220,000 marriages were pronounced, according to Statistica.
- Unmarried people can also enjoy good health because of the strong social ties that are critical to health.
From reducing the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease to lowering the risk of death or suicide… marriage protects the health of partners, according to researchers at Purdue University in Indiana, USA United.
Being married preserves the harmful effects of inflammation on health
In an article by The Conversationthey explain that it is because it provides partners with a sense of belonging, more opportunities for social engagement and a reduction in the feeling of loneliness.
All of this has an impact on the body’s inflammatory process, that is, the way the body reacts to disease, injury or discomfort: “Although inflammation is necessary for healing, chronic inflammation is associated with heart disease, arthritis, cancers and autoimmune diseases”, write the authors.
Married people live longer
The third advantage concerns longevity. Married men and women live, on average, two years longer than their unmarried counterparts, the authors report. One of the reasons for this longevity advantage is the influence of partners on behaviors.
The studies show that married people eat better and are less likely to smoke and drink excessively, allowing them to live longer.
Marriage: partners are a good influence
Also, married couples are more likely to want to improve their partner’s health behaviors, such as exercise, especially if the spouse’s habits are worse than their own.
Data suggests that partners in a same-sex marriage tend to engage in teamwork to mutually promote healthy health behaviors.
Men benefit more from the positive effects of marriage on health
In heterosexual couples, on the other hand, it is the women who tend to take the initiative in promoting such behavior, to the benefit of their husband.
“Women also take on more responsibility for coordinating doctor’s appointments and promoting adherence to medical advice for their husbands than husbands do for their wives.”, write the authors.
Thus, in heterosexual couples, it is mostly men who benefit from the health benefits of marriage, the scientists conclude.
