In Men: Light Wine = Longer Life Expectancy?

Filed in archive Cases , Studies on March 2, 2007

Daily intake of little alcohol (on average less than one glass per day), especially wine could lead to increased life expectancy in men, according to a Dutch study (called the Zutphen Study) recently reported at the American Heart Association's 47th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

The research study found that compared to spirits and beer, consumption of small amounts of wine daily has been found associated with the lowest levels of all-cause and cardiovascular deaths.

Researchers said life expectancy was 3.8 years higher in those men who drank wine compared to those who did not drink alcoholic beverages. Life expectancy of wine users was more than two years longer than users of other alcoholic beverages. Men with a long-term alcohol intake less than or equal to 20 grams per day had a 1.6-year-higher life expectancy, compared to those who consumed no alcohol.

Additionally, red wine will be more beneficial because of the polyphenols content. The American Heart Association reminds us though that this doesn't mean that men should start drinking to get the benefits mentioned in the findings. Instead they should talk to their doctor and first work on lowering their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, getting enough exercise and eating a healthy diet.

Find more details from the full report.