When talk turns to living past 100, it is easy to expect some secret supplement or strict routine. Longevity researcher and author Dan Buettner says the truth in the world’s so-called Blue Zones looks a lot more ordinary. In places where reaching 100 is far more common than in the United States, daily habits tend to be simple, social, and repeatable. Among the patterns he highlights, one stands out because it often surprises people.
Buettner points to moderate, regular alcohol intake, most often wine, as a habit that shows up across many of these communities. He notes that people in all Blue Zones, with the exception of Adventists, tend to drink in a measured way and not as an occasional blowout. The practice he describes is small in quantity, consistent, and tied to the rhythms of everyday life. Think one to two glasses, not refills that blur into the night.
The most important detail is how it is done. Buettner’s rule is to drink with friends and with food, not alone and not on an empty stomach. In that setting, the drink becomes part of a shared meal and a slower pace, which is very different from using alcohol as a quick release valve after a stressful day. It also frames wine as a social ritual rather than a health hack.
Costa Rica, Greece, and Japan are among the six regions Buettner has studied where these longevity patterns show up strongly. Alongside food choices and strong social connections, the gentle regularity of daily life keeps appearing in different forms. Wine is not the headline on its own, but it often sits at the table while people talk, eat, and unwind together. In other words, it may be more about context than the drink itself.
Still, experts stress that alcohol is not required for health, and no one should start drinking for supposed benefits. Dr. Gareth Nye, a biomedical science lecturer at the University of Salford, has said red wine contains resveratrol, a plant compound that is often discussed for potential antioxidant properties. He added that some research links antioxidants with lower inflammation, lower blood pressure, and higher HDL cholesterol, sometimes called the good cholesterol. Nutritionist Helen Bell also cautions that exceeding recommended limits can raise the risk of liver disease, certain cancers, and cardiovascular problems.
If there is a takeaway worth keeping, it is the emphasis on moderation, food, and company, plus the reminder that less alcohol is generally better. If you already drink, consider whether it happens alongside a meal and connection, or in isolation and stress. And if alcohol ever feels like something you rely on, it is a signal to seek support rather than doubling down on routines.
Do you think the Blue Zones approach is more about the wine, or more about the way people gather and eat together? Share your thoughts in the comments.
