The richest people and the greatest minds in the human history have been trying hard to find the elixir of life, a magical potion that would have granted them eternal youth or at least, longevity.

Nowadays, we have witnessed huge jumps in medicine, and this might be one of the reasons why our generations generally live longer than the ones before us, it is definitely not the only factor.

Therefore, a team of researchers has tried to find out the secret to living longer once again, and in 2003, they conducted a study named the 90+ Study.

Their aim was to discover the factors that contribute to longevity, analyze the rates of cognitive and functional decline in the oldest-old participants, find the modifiable risk factors for dementia and mortality, and examine the epidemiology of dementia and the clinical pathological correlations in these people.

The initial 14, 000 participants previously took part in another study called The Leisure World Cohort Study (LWCS), and they were mailed surveys that they filled out.

The participants were visited twice annually and did neurological and neurophysiological tests. Researchers gathered information about their daily activities, diet, medication use, and medical history.  Among the other findings, researchers found that the consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol led to a longer life.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended moderate dosage in the case of healthy adult women and men older than 65 is one drink, and two drinks in the case of men younger than 35.

Wine is a rich source of flavonoids, the artery-scrubbing antioxidants, so its consumption will help you lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Additionally, red wine is high in polyphenols, antioxidants that prevent premature aging and cancer by inhibiting free radical damage.

The skins of grapes are high in resveratrol, the polyphenol that effectively lowers the risk of dementia, heart disease, and cancer. It has been found to effectively prevent the accumulation of plaque in the brains of dementia patients.

Resveratrol also regulates blood sugar, supports weight loss, prevents the growth of fat cells, and supports the healthy function of the brain, thus boosting memory.

Yet, remember that moderation is the key! Excessive alcohol consumption leads to severe negative effects on the health.

Furthermore, a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has found that regular exercise can offset the negative effects of hazardous drinking.

Senior author of the study, Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis, and his team analyzed the data from health surveys from England and Scotland and divided the participants into three groups, ones that were not very active, those that got a moderate amount of exercise, and those who exercised regularly.

They examined the amounts of alcohol they consumed and found that excessive alcohol intake elevated the risk of death from all causes. Yet, they also discovered that the weekly recommended amount of exercise for adults (150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity) "appeared to wipe off completely" the higher cancer death caused by alcohol and lowers the risk of all-cause mortality due to alcohol. These findings emphasized the importance and benefits of regular exercise once more.

Furthermore, an Austrian study has found that the consumption of wine boosts creativity. The findings were published in Consciousness & Cognition and showed that the moderate alcohol consumption boosts the ability of the brain to think laterally and improves the capabilities for creative activities like writing.

So..Cheers! May you live long and prosper!

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