DON’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THAT G&T

IF YOU listen to some health reports, you could be forgiven for thinking that even a whiff of booze will send you to an early grave. Sure, there’s good evidence that too much alcohol is associated with all manner of problems — but occasional, moderate drinking has been shown to actually be beneficial to health.

This was borne out by a recent study which showed that 83% of super-agers said they regularly enjoyed a drink.

While it may be that the chemicals in alcohol have health-giving effects, I think it’s the socialising that goes along with the occasional drink that’s more important to mental alertness and staying young than the actual booze.

It’s telling that none of the superagers drank to excess. An aunt of mine who lived into her late 90s always had a G&T (with a packet of crisps) at precisely 11am every day — and she swore this was the secret to her long, healthy life. She always invited neighbours round to join her, and I suspect this was really the important bit.

I’ve also noticed that super-agers tend to have friends from all age groups, and especially those much younger than them. Surrounding yourself with younger people keeps you feeling more youthful.

I recall one patient in her late 80s with a best friend half her age. She said: ‘Why would I want to be friends with people my age? They’re so old and boring.’