What Alcohol Did the World’s Oldest People Drink?

When we talk about the world’s oldest people, one question often surprises everyone:

Did they drink alcohol?

The answer is unexpected.

Yes—many of them did.

But not in the way most people imagine.

The world’s longest-living individuals didn’t drink to get drunk.

They drank with purpose, culture, and strict limits.

Let’s explore what alcohol some of the world’s oldest people consumed—and more importantly, how they consumed it.

Take Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to the age of 122.

She is often mentioned as the longest-living documented human in history.

Jeanne reportedly enjoyed wine regularly and even consumed small amounts of alcohol as part of her lifestyle.

In France, wine is not treated as a party substance—it’s treated as food culture.

Small quantities, usually with meals, never rushed.

Wine was part of daily life, not an escape from it.

Now let’s look at Italy, a country famous for longevity.

Many elderly Italians drink red wine almost daily.

But here’s the key:

They drink one small glass, usually during lunch or dinner.

Never on an empty stomach.

Never to numb emotions.

Italian elders often say wine belongs on the table, not in excess.

Move east to Japan.

Japan is home to some of the world’s oldest populations.

Many elderly Japanese people drink sake.

But again—moderation defines everything.

Sake is consumed slowly, often during social gatherings or celebrations.

It’s about respect, ritual, and connection—not intoxication.

In Okinawa, one of the world’s famous “Blue Zones,” alcohol consumption is rare and light.

When consumed, it is shared, never abused.

Now let’s talk about whisky.

In Scotland, where life expectancy in certain rural areas is high, some elderly people enjoy small amounts of whisky.

A single dram in the evening.

No mixing.

No binge drinking.

For them, whisky is about warmth, conversation, and calm—not excess.

Even in Spain and Greece, two countries known for long-living populations, alcohol consumption exists.

Mostly wine.

Mostly with food.

Mostly in small amounts.

What connects all these people is not the type of alcohol—but their relationship with it.

They followed unwritten rules.

They never drank alone to escape sadness.

They never drank to prove anything.

They stopped before alcohol took control.

Another crucial point:

Most of these long-living individuals stayed physically active.

They walked daily.

They worked with their hands.

They stayed socially connected.

Alcohol was never the center of their life.

It was a side detail.

Science also suggests that small amounts of alcohol may help with relaxation and social bonding.

Lower stress often leads to better heart health and longevity.

But the same science is clear about one thing:

Excess alcohol destroys health—especially in old age.

The world’s oldest people understood this balance intuitively.