The secret to a longer life? Drink a glass of wine a day

♦ A glass of wine or a pint of beer a day can help people to live longer, according to research.

The study suggests that light-tomoderate alcohol consumption – classed as fewer than 14 drinks a week for men, and seven for women – may have “protective” health effects and can reduce the risk of dying young.

Experts said the findings show that for most older people, the overall benefits of light drinking “clearly outweigh” the possible cancer risk.

The study examined the association between alcohol consumption and risk of mortality in the US. It studied data from 333,247 participants, obtained through the National Health Interview Surveys from 1997 to 2009.

Doctor Bo Xi, the study’s lead author and associate professor at Shandong University School of Public Health in China, said: “Our research shows that light-to-moderate drinking might have some protective effects against cardiovascular disease, while heavy drinking can lead to death.

“A delicate balance exists between the beneficial and detrimental effects of alcohol consumption.”