Advertisement

This surprising habit could be the key to longer life

Drinking a couple of glasses of beer or wine a night could help you live longer, scientists have claimed.

Health experts claim in a new study that drinking a few beers or wines every evening, while also adding a few extra kilos in weight, may ensure living into our 90s.

Researchers looked at people who had lived beyond the age of 90 and found that a modest consumption of alcohol was one of five factors linked to longer life.

Love wine? It could love you back, with new claims alcohol can reduce premature death. Photo: Getty
Love wine? It could love you back, with new claims alcohol can reduce premature death. Photo: Getty

It found that those who had two glasses of beer or wine every day had an 18 percent reduced risk of premature death compared to those who didn’t drink at all.

The study from the University of California also found that being a little bit overweight – but not obese – reduced the risk of early death by about 3 percent.

Researchers examined data from 1,700 people who were in the 90s by 2003.

"I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity," neurology specialist from the University of California Professor Claudia Kawas said.

Another factor was spending at least two hours a day on a hobby, which lowered the risk of a premature death by 21 percent.

People who exercised between 15 and 45 minutes each day had an 11 percent lower risk, while those who drank two cups of coffee a day were 10 percent less likely to die early.

Source: Giphy
Source: Giphy

“It’s not bad to be skinny when you’re young but it’s very bad to be skinny when you’re old," said Professor Kawas.

“People should try to incorporate as many of these things into their day if they wish to give themselves the best chance of living to a ripe age.

“Our data shows none of these lifestyle factors make any difference to the likelihood you will develop dementia.”

Got a story tip? Send it to tips@yahoo7.com.au

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram