A drink a day for people over 55 substantially reduces the risk of premature death, according to a study published in the March issue of The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The findings confirm what many other studies have shown: that moderate consumption of alcohol has important health benefits. This research, which involved 12,000 people who were followed for four years, found that those who consumed a drink a day cut their risk of dying by 28 percent compared to nondrinkers. Drinking just one drink or less a week conferred no benefits. Drinking more than three drinks daily increased risk by 11 percent.

As is often true when such results are announced, researchers are reluctant to recommend that people who don’t drink start tippling. “There are other things you can do that we know are helpful and have a lower chance of harming you, like getting more exercise,” said Sei J. Lee, MD, lead author of the new study and a geriatrician at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Still, if you enjoy a drink or two of wine with dinner, it’s good to know you may be gaining yourself even more time for enjoyment.

© 2009 PDQhealth

Tags: alcohol, longevity, premature death