Advice

Cheers, Ladies! Study Confirms Drinking Wine and Skipping the Gym Makes You Live Longer

Want to live to the ripe ol’ age of 90? Drink up! That’s right! Research has confirmed that people who drink wine every day actually live longer.

And it gets better! Because this same study also suggests that having a few extra kilos on your body can also lead to longevity.

Best. Study. Ever.

It’s no secret that we at Mum Central like our vino. We’ve recently explained how wine can be considered a bona fide parenting tool AND how drinking wine can help you lose the kilos.

But now there’s another reason to ditch the mum guilt and open a bottle whenever you feel like a glass of cab sav- it can actually help you live longer!

Drink daily, live longer, study finds

The study, conducted by Professor Claudia Kawas of the University of California, focused on 1,700 people aged 90 or over since 2003. Dubbed the “90s+ study”, researchers discovered that those who kept on keeping on into their naughty 90s were wine (and beer) lovers.

And not just a glass here and there. Nope. Those who indulged in two glasses of beer or wine every day had an 18% reduced risk of premature death, compared to those who did not.

Oh, and just to sweeten the deal, people who drink coffee daily also live longer than those who abstain.

The findings go against pretty much every health recommendation, we know. But, hey, who are we to argue with science? Even Professor Kawas is stumped.

Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, she said, “I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity.”

We’ll drink to that.

Extra kilos for extra years

Even better news? You can add a platter of cheese to your daily wine endeavours. Because this same study also confirms that being slightly overweight can also help increase your lifespan.

“The best mortality experience is to gain between five and ten pounds [two to five kilograms] per decade,” she said.  “Underweight people had a 50% increase in mortality. It’s not bad to be skinny when you’re young but it’s very bad to be skinny when you’re old.”

Skip the gym and drink wine daily? My retirement just got a whole hellava lot better.

Looking for more good news? Check out this study which confirms ALL mums hide in the pantry and binge on junk food. 

Avatar of Jenna Galley

Born and raised in Canada, Jenna now lives in Far North Queensland with her tribe. When the mum-of-three is not writing, you can find her floating in the pool, watching princess movies, frolicking on the beach, bouncing her baby to sleep or nagging her older kids to put on their pants.

Write A Comment