The quest for longevity¹ has long been on people's minds, prompting an abundance of research on the effects of food and diet on the human lifespan; but unlike the usual recommendations - eat kale, sip² unsweetened green tea, and such - here is one you might not have trouble following. According to recent research from the UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders³ (UCI MIND), drinking coffee and wine could help you live longer.

 

长期以来，人们一直都有追求长命百岁的愿望，为此我们进行了许多关于食品和饮食习惯对人类寿命影响的研究。但不同于多吃甘蓝菜、饮用无糖绿茶等常见的建议，这里有一条你可能会轻松接受。加州大学欧文分校记忆障碍和神经紊乱研究所近日的研究显示，喝咖啡和红酒可以让你更长寿。

 

The 90+ Study evaluated more than 1,600 people over the age of 90 for their lifestyle habits and other qualities that might have contributed to their longevity. Participants were visited every six months, when they were given various neurological, neuropsychological, cognitive⁴, and physical tests. Researchers also collected information about the participants' diets, lifestyles, and medical histories, among other things.

 

Two of the habits that helped preserve lives the most? Drinking alcohol and coffee. Yes, you read that right - those who drank moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee every day were likely to live longer than those who abstained⁵. Those who consumed about two glasses daily of beer or wine were 18 percent more likely to live longer, while coffee drinkers were 10 percent more likely to outlive their peers.

 

"I have no explanation for it," admitted Dr. Claudia Kawas, a key researcher from the study, at a conference, "but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity."

 

So should we all be drinking more coffee and wine? While that would be great news, the research may not be as definitive⁶ as it seems.

 

"Most studies about alcohol consumption, including The 90+ Study, are observational, so we can only say that something about drinking is associated with health and longevity," registered dietitian⁷ Jennifer Markowitz told The Daily Meal. "I'd be curious to see if the coffee and alcohol drinkers shared other important habits or lifestyle factors that might also play into their longevity."

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