Chocolate, red wine and beer ‘key to a longer life’

Chocolate, red wine and beer ‘key to a longer life’

It sounds too good to be true: a new study says chocolate, red wine and cigarettes can help you live longer.

A new study is claiming that an anti-inflammatory diet that includes chocolate, red wine and beer could be the key to a longer life.

Researchers at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland carried out a study of around 70,000 men and women whose lifestyles were closely examined during a 16-year period.

The study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, compared the mortality of those who followed an anti-inflammatory diet and those who didn’t.

The team concluded those who followed an anti-inflammatory diet, regularly eating fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, nuts, chocolate and moderate amounts of red wine and beer, had an 18 per cent lower risk of death by any cause.

They also had a 20 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular mortality and a 13 per cent reduced risk of death caused by cancer.

Of the people who smoked, those who followed an anti-inflammatory diet were recorded as having a reduced risk of an early risk compared with smokers who didn’t.

Fran McElwaine, director for the UK Health Coaches Association, explains following an anti-inflammatory diet can be beneficial for people who suffer from myriad conditions.

“As inflammation lies at the root of most chronic, lifestyle-related disease, including arthritis, dementia, some cancers and cardiovascular disease, a diet that reduces inflammation can only be a good thing.

“There are plenty of foods which reduce inflammation – dark chocolate, which is a rich source of magnesium, zinc and other important trace minerals, and red wine, a source of the phyto-nutrient resveratrol included.”

While this study was carried out with a large sample of people, nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert warns it’s essential to be wary when taking note of dietary advice.

 “Studies will never be able to accurately represent everyone and their own unique lifestyles and diets,” she says.

“So many factors must be taken into account. Sleep, activity levels, genetics and your job are just a few factors that can impact our health.

“Diet is of course a large component for good health and longevity but focusing on foods as good or bad isn’t helpful either.”

Earlier this year, a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology claimed that eating up to three chocolate bars every month can drastically reduce your risk of experiencing heart failure later on in life.

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