NEWCASTLE, Australia, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- An Australian survey found that women over the age of 70 who have two alcoholic drinks daily are happier, healthier and live longer than non-drinkers.
The study by the Research Center for Gender, Health and Aging at the University of Newcastle say it could be the alcohol or just the company the women keep while drinking that is responsible for the health benefits.
Researchers released the results of the study Friday after tracking 12,000 Australian women over the age of 70 for six years.
Director of the Research Center, Professor Julie Byles, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp women who had a drink or two each day reported better physical and mental health and lived longer than non-drinkers.
"Alcohol tends to be associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and there's been hundreds of studies around the world with people in different age groups to suggest that," she said.
But she said the social benefits of drinking could be the main reason it can help older women.
"Women especially tend not to drink alone and so often if they are having a glass of wine, it also means they are enjoying the company of somebody else," Byles said.
