{"id":1577,"date":"2026-09-11T16:18:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T16:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/bbc-sciencefocus\/?p=1577"},"modified":"2026-09-11T16:18:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T16:18:24","slug":"experts-studied-the-worlds-longest-living-people-and-found-something-surprising-about-their-drinking-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/bbc-sciencefocus\/2026\/09\/11\/experts-studied-the-worlds-longest-living-people-and-found-something-surprising-about-their-drinking-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts studied the world’s longest-living people \u2013 and found something surprising about their drinking habits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts studied the world\u2019s longest-living people \u2013 and found something incredible about their drinking habits<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

So-called ‘Blue Zone’ communities are famous for their daily glass of wine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By Greg Noone<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Pouring
Photo credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Icarus died pursuing the Sun off the island of Ikaria, so legend has it. The residents of this Greek island in the eastern Aegean take no such risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their lives are sedate, filled with Sun (at a safe distance), sand, good food and company. Meals tend to be typical Mediterranean fare \u2013 pulses, wholegrains, some fish, a little meat \u2013 and are enjoyed with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This lifestyle, according to some researchers, produces the longest-lived among us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ikaria is one of the world\u2019s \u2018Blue Zones\u2019<\/a>, places that produce high concentrations of centenarians thanks to their culture of socialising, slow living and healthy eating. The culture also includes a moderate approach to drinking alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ikaria, home to around 8,000 people, is one of the world’s ‘Blue Zones’. Studies have found roughly 1 in 3 Ikarians live past 90. Photo credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inhabitants of Blue Zones often drink one or two glasses of red wine a day, usually during long meals with friends. It\u2019s an attitude to alcohol that some nutritionists have described as probably the most mature one you can have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There may be health benefits, too. Red wine contains antioxidants and polyphenols. These two compounds, taken alone, have some cardiovascular benefits. But it doesn\u2019t have to be red wine. Several studies show that people who drink low or moderate amounts of any alcohol also receive the same cardiovascular benefits, and therefore tend to live longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, should we be following the example the Blue Zone inhabitants are setting?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there a case for alcohol?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Emmanuela Gakidou<\/a>, Professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the University of Washington, would like to think that the Blue Zone lifestyle is the healthiest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born in Greece, she grew up with the idea that the combination of a Mediterranean diet, physical exercise and moderate, social drinking is a good thing. But, she adds, \u201cIf we look at the scientific evidence, the real answer is we don\u2019t really know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though a small industry has been built around the health advantages of adhering in part or in full to the Blue Zone diet, peer-reviewed studies on its nutritional benefits remain few and far between (even the idea that areas like Ikaria contain more centenarians than the average is controversial).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wine is traditionally enjoyed alongside meals like this one on Ikaria \u2013 pulses, wild greens and feta rather than heavily processed food. Photo credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s more scientific certainty around the impact of alcohol ingestion. We know that if someone drinks excessively and often, their chances of developing liver disease, pancreatitis and cancer skyrocket. The impacts of low-to-moderate levels of drinking are less clear-cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In June 2026, Gakidou co-authored a meta-study of 843 studies about the health impacts of alcohol consumption<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consensus was that people drinking moderately, or barely anything, were less likely to suffer from ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes, ischaemic heart disease and Alzheimer\u2019s, compared with teetotallers \u2013 and therefore more likely to live longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read More:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n