Researchers reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology that, in this 20-year study, 835 people have already died. Overall, 45% of those who did not shave daily had passed away, whereas only 31% of those who shaved at least once a day had died.
The higher death rate among those who didn't shave daily was related to their higher rates of smoking and poorer living habits. However, the researchers stated that this could not fully explain their higher likelihood of having strokes.
The results showed that most of those who didn't shave daily were unmarried and more likely to be blue-collar workers. They experienced fewer sexual climaxes, were shorter in stature, and were more prone to angina.
Professor Abraham Shah Ebrahim from the Department of Social Medicine said in a statement: "The higher mortality rate among those who don't shave often may be due to smoking and some social factors, but a small part may also be influenced by hormones."
He indicated that men who don't shave daily experience fewer sexual climaxes, possibly because they have lower levels of male hormones or simply because they are unmarried, thus having fewer opportunities for sexual activity.
As for the higher risk of stroke, one possible explanation is that the circulating levels of sex hormones in their bodies might influence the degree to which fat deposits in arteries.