The idea of adding more candles to the birthday cake every year sounds amazing. We’re here with some good news. You might actually be able to do so with a glass of wine.

Scientists have tried to find the secret to longer life throughout the years, but a 2003 study in particular was named The 90+ Study.

This study focused on the oldest of the old to figure out what has kept them going for so long.

Researchers used the data from a 1981 study, named The Leisure World Cohort Study (LWCS) when14,000 participants were mailed surveys that they had to fill out.

The team of experts was trying to answer several questions, to determine the factors linked to longer life, and the modifiable risk factors for dementia and mortality, and to examine the epidemiology of dementia, the rates of cognitive and functional decline, and the clinical pathological correlations in the oldest-old.

Participants did neurological and neurophysiological tests twice annually, and information about their medical history, diet, activities, medications, and lifestyle habits were carefully collected by the researchers.

Among the other findings, researchers found that those who drank in moderate amounts lived longer than the others.

Dr. Steven Lamm, MD, clinical professor of medicine and medical director of the Tisch Center for Men’s Health at NYU Langone Health, adds:

“Alcohol is known to injure every organ in your body. It’s a poison. However, there is a paradox and that is that a very mild or moderate amount in some of these population studies — which are notoriously unreliable in my opinion — do seem to suggest that it reduces the risk for heart disease.”

The Mayo Clinic recommends one drink to people older than 65, and two drinks to men younger than this age, a standard drink being 12 fluid ounces of beer, 1.5 fluid ounces of distilled spirits, and 5 fluid ounces of wine.

Studies have shown that the moderate consumption lowers the risk of diabetes, ischemic stroke, and death due to heart disease.

Therefore, feel free to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your lunch or dinner, but never go overboard. The excessive consumption can lead to severe health issues and a heightened risk of death from all causes.

However, the findings of a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that regular exercise can inhibit the negative effects of hazardous drinking.

We strongly advise you to have a glass or two of your favorite wine during the day, but make sure you also go for a run or walk first.

Herman Smith-Johannsen apparently knew all this, when he said:

“The secret to a long life is to stay busy, get plenty of exercise, and don’t drink too much. Then again, don’t drink too little.”

This article originally appeared on www.healthyfoodhouse.com