Downing a peg or twocould be good for you and give you a longer life than teetotalers.
Researchers have foundthat good health among older people was linked to moderate drinking.
The study examined data from 1,824 adults aged between 55 and 65 years. Theywere all former or current drinkers over the past 20 years, reports the DailyMail.
They discovered that the heavy drinkers had a 42 percent higher risk of dyingin a 20-year follow-up compared to moderate drinkers, says a University ofTexas release.
Amazingly, teetotalers had a 49 percent higher mortality risk, according to thejournal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
Researchers said this was because many of those who refrained from alcohol inthe study sample were former problem drinkers.
They were also more likely than moderate drinkers to have health problems dueto lack of exercise and smoking.
Study leader Charles Holahan from the University of Texas, US, emphasised theneed for common sense. One or two drinks a day may be beneficial for some, butdrinking a lot more can be dangerous, he said.
"Older persons drinking alcohol should remember that consuming more thantwo drinks a day exceeds recommended alcohol consumption guidelines," headded.
