THE WATER OF LIFE?

IN the Middle Ages, Irish monks used the Gaelic phrase uisce beatha, meaning water of life, for distilled alcohol. The English word whisky comes from this.

And scientific studies suggest moderate alcohol intake may indeed be linked to living longer.

A survey of 1,600 Americans aged over 90 asked how much beer, wine or whisky they drank. It found those who enjoyed two glasses of alcohol daily had a 9-15% lower likelihood of dying early compared to teetotallers.

Other research by the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen suggested small amounts of whisky and red wine can help to protect against heart disease.