Top 10 drinks tips for living to 100

When it comes to the secrets of living to 100, the life-giving properties of alcoholic drinks have featured in the top tips from many centenarians.

There have been many health benefits associated with alcohol, when consumed in moderation, including battling lung cancer, lowering cholesterol and helping with arthritis.

Recent celebrants include Helen Kimsey from Lincolnshire, who celebrated her 100th birthday in February saying that a glass of white wine was her secret. While in March Jim Baines from Norfolk reached his 100th birthday saying that a regular drink of Guinness was the key.

Simone from Paris celebrated her 104th birthday with a glass (or two) of Drappier Champagne. Simone’s daughter, who is herself in her 80s, said that the drink “keeps you young”. Yesterday we revealed that new research has suggested that three glasses of Champagne every week can help boost memory and stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia.

So we have looked back at the tips from a number of centenarians, who have answered that common question on a 100th birthday: “What is the secret to a long life?”

If you want to get your telegram from the Queen, then these are the top tips from those who have been there and done that.

Dorris O’Dell – 100 and still going

Dorris O’Dell was born in Auburn, New York although she had moved to Florida by the time she celebrated her 100th birthday in 2011.

Dorris said: “Be happy or you’re in a lot of trouble”, when she was asked what was her secret to long life. She also said that “eating what you like and drinking Scotch” had helped her.

She added: “I used to drink Scotch, and we went to a lot of dances and parties. Man, was that fun! I ate bacon, drank and swore, and ate all the chocolate I wanted.”

Lucy d’Abreu – 113

Lucy d’Abreu was the oldest living person in the UK from April 2004 until her death in December 2005. She was born in 1892 and passed away in Scotland aged 113. Lucy believed it was her “customary sun-downer of brandy and dry ginger ale” that helped her to live a long life.

Alice Mospak – 104 and still going

Alice Mospak, who celebrated turning 104 this month, worked until she 92 years old. She worked for an insurance company and was in the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001. She never went back to work after that day.

Alice’s secret to living a long life was simple, “red wine, chocolate and dancing”.

Norman Rushworth – 100 and still going to the same local

Norman Rushworth, who turned 100 on April 17, has visited the Golden Cross in Shrewsbury since 1933, downing an estimated 20,000 pints of his favourite beer Shropshire Gold. The RAF veteran, who since coming to the pub has seen the price of a pint rise from 5p to £3.80, told The Mirror that the Golden Cross has “improved immensely” since he first started drinking in the tavern.

Norman, who drove an ambulance that was converted into a dental surgery for troops in Europe following D-Day, also gave a few tips for keeping fit and healthy at 100 years old.

“My secret to a long life is a pint of beer, of course. I also like dancing and women. What else is there?”

Kath Head – Birthday white wine

Kath Head from Coventry said said a glass of white wine after a hard day’s work is the secret to a long life as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Kath, of Wyken, who was given a surprise party on her special day, told the Coventry Telegraph: “I didn’t have a clue about the surprise. I was given a scarf and cake and I’ve had two glasses of wine.”

Lorna Gobey – 113 and still going

Lorna Gobey, is a mum to eight children and has 27 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren.

Gobey, who was born in Apperley, Gloucestershire in 1910, said that it was important to do the things you love and “not let things get you down.”

She said: “I like my smokes, a drop of whisky and Guinness and I still love to play skittles. Perhaps it’s part of the reason I have lived for so long.

Harry Allen – 100 thanks to Spain and Brandy

Harry Allen, who reached 100 in 2010, put his century-long life down to the Spanish sunshine and a few tots of brandy per day.

Rodney Harnett, who looks after Harry with his wife Gloria, said: “He enjoys very much Spanish brandy and drinks a few tots a day, and has benefitted from the lovely weather here in Mijas Costa.”

Doris Justice – Adding to her morning brew

Doris Justice from York is another centurion who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2010. Doris said leading an active life and sequence dancing well into her nineties were a key part of her long life. But she said the secret “is keeping family and friends close and a teaspoon of brandy in her morning cup of tea.”

Ted Binge – Whisky does the trick

Another York man, Ted Binge, celebrated his 100th birthday by saying a bit of whisky every day is the key to his long life. Ted has a glass in the morning and another before bed, getting through half a bottle of whisky each week.

Ted said: “It’s beautiful, wonderful stuff. I love it. It’s never done me any harm, maybe they should put it on prescription.

“I had my first taste of it as a young man, when I had a bit of a cold and my father gave me a nip of whisky saying, `that will make you feel better’.

“It did the trick and I liked it, so I started having a glass on a morning. I like it straight, as it should be. I always say work as long as you can because it’s good for you. I love to have a laugh and a joke, sometimes a bit of a sing, it keeps you going.”

Mary Williams – Everything in moderation

Mary Williams, of Bridgend celebrated turning 100 in 2011, with her close family including 19 great-grandchildren.

She said: “I’ve had a lovely time with my family around me. My secret to staying healthy is a glass of white wine every day. Or everything in moderation.”

Although it was Oscar Wilde who said “Everything in moderation, including moderation”.

And finally…

When Janet Sheed Roberts died in April 2012 aged 110, she was Scotland’s oldest lady.

Although she didn’t pick out a particular drink as the secret to her long life, it fair to say that she had whisky in her blood. Janet was the grand-daughter of William Grant and still lived close to the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown.

She was such a special member of the family that in 2011, 11 bottles of 55-year-old Glenfiddich, dubbed the “Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve” were released to celebrate her 110th birthday. Janet was born in 1901 in Moray and was the only woman in her class when she studied at Glasgow and Edinburgh universities.