It appears that regular alcohol consumption, when done following certain guidelines, may be beneficial for one’s health and could even contribute to a longer lifespan.
While Bryan Johnson pursues cutting-edge medical treatments in an effort to ‘biohack’ his age, the residents of ‘Blue Zones’ employ a remarkably different method that appears to promote a healthier and longer life.
Blue Zones are regions around the world where people have a higher likelihood of reaching the age of 100 or beyond.
The current Blue Zones include Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California.
In addition to the ‘Blue Zone’ diet, explorer Dan Buettner has identified a common factor among these five areas that he believes contributes to their residents’ longevity and health, partly due to a specific ‘wine rule’.
Buettner shared with The Mirror: “People in all Blue Zones (except Adventists) drink alcohol moderately and regularly.”
The key aspect here is the emphasis on ‘moderately,’ and while that might not be unexpected, the following detail could be.
Buettner further explained: “Moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers. The trick is to drink one to two glasses per day (preferably Sardinian Cannonau wine), with friends and/or with food. And no, you can’t save up all week and have 14 drinks on Saturday.”
But how does consuming alcohol daily, though in moderation, benefit your health and potentially extend your lifespan?
According to Healthline, ‘light to moderate drinking’ is associated with ‘a reduced risk of heart disease,’ as well as ‘reduced weight gain’ and a lower risk of dementia.
Moderate alcohol intake may also ‘raise “good” HDL cholesterol in your bloodstream,’ ‘decrease your blood level of fibrinogen — a factor in blood clot formation,’ ‘reduce the risk of diabetes — a significant risk factor for heart disease,’ and ‘temporarily alleviate stress and anxiety’.
Medical News Today notes that red wine, in particular, can be beneficial in moderation, offering ‘antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-regulating effects’ which positively impact heart and gut health, as well as decreasing the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and dementia, while also lowering blood pressure.
However, what happens if you don’t monitor your alcohol consumption and it becomes excessive?
Excessive drinking could elevate your risk of diabetes, cancer, chronic diseases, memory impairment, and ‘social problems’.
Healthline specifies: “Moderate drinking is defined as at most one standard drink per day for women and at most two for men, while heavy drinking is defined as more than three drinks per day for women and four for men.”
Dr. Gareth Nye, Senior Lecturer at Chester Medical School, advised The Mirror: “Spreading your consumption over the week and including several alcohol-free days can help keep your intake within healthy limits.”
He also emphasized: “No one should be drinking alcohol for health benefits, moderation is always key. Ideally, as little alcohol as possible is best for health but if you feel your alcohol intake has increased over time or you feel like you are relying on alcohol then you should ideally seek help for this.”
If you’re struggling with addiction and need confidential support, you can reach out to American Addiction Centers at (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or contact them through their website.