Drinking coffee and alcohol in moderation decreases the chance of premature death, a new study finds. Go ahead and brew another mug or pour another glass because this health news is the best thing we’ve heard all day!
It seems like any health news that comes out is bad and makes us feel guilty about some habit we’ve got. Finally, some good news has come out about people who drink moderate amounts of coffee and alcohol. A new study conducted by the UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders found that drinking alcohol and coffee can keep you kicking well into your 90’s. You might think this is too good to be true, but there’s science to back it up!
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The study followed 1,600 people in their 90’s and recorded what sorts of habits lead to a longer life. Healthy nonagenarians apparently enjoy both alcohol and coffee.
The study also found a surprising correlation between people being overweight in their 70’s who become very healthy when they age to their 90’s. Time to cancel my diet and purchase that bottle of cabernet.
If you ask elderly people what their secret to longevity is, you’ll get a bunch of funny answers. Chances are that none of them will tell you about their drinking habits.
For the UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders study, the participants were asked to visit doctors twice a year to answer questions and undergo physical and mental tests.
The study found that two servings of alcohol per day decreased the chance of premature death by 18 percent. That’s a great excuse to have that glass of wine with dinner.
Researches don’t know why this is the case. “I have no explanation for it,” Dr. Claudia Kawas, one of the lead researchers on the study, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity.”
For all of us who drink coffee, there’s more good news. The researches found that drinking two cups of coffee a day led to a decrease in premature death by 10%. Time for the java jive!
As we mentioned diet is less of a factor for good health in your 90’s than previously thought. However, exercise is really important. Exercising just 30-45 minutes a day can decrease the chance of premature death by 11%.
Do you have a hobby? You should probably get one if you don’t. Participants who spent two hours or more a day on a hobby were a whopping 21% less likely to suffer a premature death.
As with all things, moderation is key. Drinking too much of anything is not too great for you, so keep that in mind.
Although many of the participants had made it to their 90’s they aren’t without health problems. Nearly 40% of the participants suffered from some form of dementia. In addition, nearly 80% of the participants had a disability. That number is even higher when looking at women alone.
The main takeaway from the study is to not stress the little stuff. It’s okay to indulge a little bit. Doing so in moderation may help you enjoy a longer life.