Researchers Have Found That Drinking Wine in Moderation Could Improve Longevity

According to one study published in 2007 on aging and dementia, drinking alcohol and coffee in moderation may help you live longer than those who do not.

The 90+ Study, conducted by Dr. Claudia Kawas at the University of California-Irvine, studied nearly 14,000 men and women over the age of 70 beginning in the 1980s.

These participants were followed for 23 years total, taking follow-up questionnaires about alcohol consumption in 1992 and 1998.

By the time the study had ended in 2004, 11,386 of the participants had passed away. Both male and female study participants who consumed alcohol experienced decreased mortality compared to those who identified as non-drinkers.

Individuals who drank moderate amounts of alcohol every day saw a 15% decrease in mortality over those who did not drink.

Additionally, those who began drinking partway through the study experienced a reduced mortality rate, while those who quit drinking were found to be more likely to die than those who did not.

The study concluded that, among elderly men and women, consuming moderate amounts of alcohol can increase your overall lifespan. However, it was recommended that those who needed to quit drinking for health reasons not delay doing so because of the potential for increased longevity.

So how much wine should we be drinking to live longer? According to a massive study led by researchers from Harvard, not all that much. Their research suggests that one or two drinks a day can be beneficial, but exceeding that may not be.

Excessive alcohol consumption rates resulted in more hospitalizations and a higher risk of diseases like cancer. People who drank heavily and also smoked experienced the worst health results.

Editor’s note:

Previously, we published a story named “New Research Says Drinking Wine Is More Important Than Exercise For Living Past 90” that suggested that, per this study’s results, you could forgo exercise in favor of drinking wine and expect to live beyond 90 years old. This was not an accurate description of the study in question.

Leadstories and Politifact correctly flagged this as incorrect. We are thankful to Aaron Sharockman, Maarten Schenk and Miriam Valverde (as well to her editor, Angie Drobnic Holan) for pointing out our mistake, so we can fix it properly.

The 90+ Study, as it’s called, studied participants who were already over the age of 70 and simply found that those who drank moderate amounts of wine had a tendency to live longer than those who did not.

Medical experts and researchers alike generally agree that exercise is a key component to living a long, happy, and healthy life. The 90+ Study just gives you permission to have a glass or two of wine once in a while. We apologize for misinforming our amazing readers and thank you for understanding this mistake!

According to one study published in 2007 on aging and dementia, drinking alcohol and coffee in moderation may help you live longer than those who do not.

The 90+ Study, conducted by Dr. Claudia Kawas at the University of California-Irvine, studied nearly 14,000 men and women over the age of 70 beginning in the 1980s.

These participants were followed for 23 years total, taking follow-up questionnaires about alcohol consumption in 1992 and 1998.

By the time the study had ended in 2004, 11,386 of the participants had passed away. Both male and female study participants who consumed alcohol experienced decreased mortality compared to those who identified as non-drinkers.