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Food

Drinking Rosé Is the Secret to Long Life, According to This 100-Year-Old

“She wouldn’t even think of touching a glass of white or red and she is certain rosé is the way to go if you want to have a long and healthy life.”
Photo via Flickr user Robert Brands

If someone asked you to list behaviours that may help lead to a long life, you might say a diet plentiful in fresh fruit and veg, minimal booze, and regular exercise.

But when those who have actually reached the 100-year mark are asked to reveal their secrets, the answers are a little different. Take Emma Morano of North Italy, who died earlier this month aged 117 years and swore by raw eggs and staying single for increased longevity. Then there's 111-year-old Agnes from New Jersey, who says she keeps things ticking over with three beers and a shot of Scotch every day.

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Now there's a new centenarian in town with another hot tip for extending the years. Ella Macleod from Glasgow, who celebrated her 100th birthday this week, says that reaching a ripe old age is all down to drinking rosé.

While some studies have shown that necking red wine like an Italian nonna can help you live longer, Macleod's son, Alastair, claims that his mother won't drink anything but the pink stuff. Speaking to local news site Glasgow Live, he said: "Rosé wine has always held a special place in my mum's heart. She wouldn't even think of touching a glass of white or red and she is certain rosé is the way to go if you want to have a long and healthy life."

Take that, rosé-haters. It's not such a basic bitch drink, after all.

But don't be too quick to chug that entire bottle of white zinfandel. Alastair added that Ella balanced out the booze with exercise: "She also made a point of keeping herself active. She loves socialising and played bowls for many years, as well as being part of a local sewing bee club."

Ella may have hung up her bowls shoes, but those glasses of rosé still seem to be doing the trick.