Turns Out Caffeine and Alcohol Can Help You Live Longer

60 Minutes did a piece this week on a groundbreaking study out of UC Irvine about what factors contribute to longevity. Specifically, which behaviors under our own control can help us live to 90 plus.

The story appears in two parts. Most interesting to me are the conclusions that drinking up to two alcoholic drinks and one to three caffeinated drinks per day can help you live longer. Drink up, people! And don't count on your vitamins to keep you young. They had no impact at all.

Photo courtesy of 60 Minutes

The researchers also discovered that being slightly overweight when you are "very old" can be protective and help you live longer. Don't get too excited though. Being overweight when you're young or middle-aged skews the other way. What they mean is that being frail can be harmful.

Of course, exercise is pretty much the best thing you can do to increase your longevity and improve your quality of life as you age. I know, I know... we're all young and will never get old. Except we will. 

So drink your coffee and booze, take a walk every day, and lift something heavy now and then. All things in moderation. Maybe we'll all take a bus trip to the vineyards together when we're old and still going strong. Let the strapping sommeliers show us around.

Living to 90 and Beyond - 60 Minutes