Drinking a few glasses of beer or wine a night ‘could help you live into your 90s’

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 pounds 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.

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

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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%.

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

Professor Claudia Kawas said: “‘I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity.”

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

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

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

“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.”

(Main picture: Getty)