Moderate consumption of wine or beer and coffee can increase lifespan, new study conducted by researchers at University of California-Irvine has found. However, the study team stressed that consumption of alcoholic drink and coffee should be moderate.
The study team worked with a group of subjects in age group above 80 years.
The University of California-Irvine study started in 2003 and the research team monitored a group of about 1,700 nonagenarians.
The aim of research team was to find out common eating or other habits among people living over age of 90 years.
The study team found that people who drank moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee lived longer than those who abstained. Another interesting factor found by the research team was long life among individuals who were overweight in their 70s compared to underweight study subjects.
Lead study researcher Dr. Claudia Kawas said, “I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity.”
Dr. Kawas presented her views at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Austin. Dr. Kawas and her team started the study named “The 90+ Study” in 2003 and they have been tracking health of study subjects for nearly 15 years.
As per a report published by the Independent, “Those who consumed approximately two glasses of beer or wine a day were 18 per cent less likely to experience a premature death.”
The research found that those who drank two cups of coffee a day decreased their chances by 10%. Daily activity also reduced the risk of premature death. People should keep healthy weight and should regularly engage in physical activity or exercise. Eating healthy is another way of keeping many chronic diseases at bay.
Dr. Kawas also noted that people who were slightly overweight — but not obese — were 3 percent less likely to die young.
