Weight Gain And Wine The Secret To Living Longer?

- Natalia Lubomirski

It’s a constant conundrum; every day it seems scientists are telling us to do something different to lead a longer, healthier life. The latest dispute? To drink or not to drink. Should we raise a glass to eternal youth?

According to researchers at Oxford and Cardiff universities, no. Their study revealed drinking just a little over one unit of alcohol a day is enough to raise the risk of dementia – now the leading cause of death in the UK. Not great news for anyone who enjoys the occasional tipple. 

However, over the pond, scientists at the University of California concluded that drinking a couple of glasses of wine or beer a night – while putting on a little weight – is the secret to living into your nineties. Prof Claudia Kawas, who conducted this study, said, ‘I believe that modest drinking improves longevity.’

Her findings regarding weight loss make for interesting reading, too. ‘Underweight people have a 50% increase in mortality. It’s not bad to be skinny when you’re young, but it’s very bad to be skinny when you’re old.’ So who’s right? We asked two experts for their opinion…

‘WINE IN MODERATION CONTAINS A NUMBER OF HEALTH BENEFITS’

Dr Sarah Brewer (drsarahbrewer.com) is a GP and Healthspan medical Director. She’s also author