How to live 'till your 90: skip the gym and eat the chocolate
Wine lovers rejoice, two glasses a day can help you live longer.
A major study by Professor Claudia Kawas of the University of California has found that consuming moderate amounts of wine, coffee and being slightly overweight all factor into living longer.
Take that, dreaded treadmill!
Since 2003, Professor Kawas has been collecting data from 1,700 people aged 90 or over. The results surprisingly identified alcohol consumption among the key factors linked to a long life. Those who were enjoying around two glasses of beer or wine every day had an 18 percent reduced risk of premature death, compared to those who did not.
We will gladly take those odds.
Speaking at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, Professor Kawas said, “I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity.”
Being slightly overweight, but not obese, was also recognised as a factor for longevity.
However, that doesn't mean that we can be burning our gym memberships just yet. Professor Kawas noted that being a healthy weight is important in your younger years, and that for the longest life you should be embracing the bulge by the time you've reached your 70's.
“The best mortality experience is to gain between five and ten pounds per decade,” she said.
“Underweight people had a 50 percent 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.”
Enjoying your hobbies and doing something you love for two hours a day was also linked to living longer.
Do what you love, eat what you love and live a full life- that's a message we can subscribe to!