Men without a partner are not good for their health

A study showed that Married and divorced men lose more than just their spouses; they may also lose a range of healthy habits that can prevent disease and early death. They eat fewer vegetables, drink more alcohol, and have trouble quitting smoking, making them more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease, suicide, and even premature death.

The study surveyed nearly 30,000 men and found that widowed men ate three fewer servings of vegetables per week and drank more alcohol, an average of more than 21 times per week. Divorced men consumed two fewer servings of vegetables per week and were more likely to smoke. If they remarried, they were more likely to quit smoking.

Men who live alone and have just become single are less concerned about their health than men who live normally. Dr. Cavazzi of the Harvard School of Public Health speculates that women have a positive impact on men's health. Women can usually see doctors more often, and even though most women have jobs with a stable income, they still take on more cooking and housework at home. In fact, men who have just become single also eat more fried foods outside. Dr. Cavazzi suggests that doctors should understand the marital status of male patients, especially when their living habits begin to change, doctors should ask them about changes in their marriages.

Previous studies have shown that divorce or separation can double the risk of suicide for men, but has little effect on women; support from a spouse can lower blood pressure in men. These research results support the idea that marriage is good for men's physical and mental health.