A glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away, a Harvard study has found.

Those who enjoy a tipple, but not too much, are less likely to be admitted to hospital than teetotallers.

The study looked at 21,000 men and women in Italy and found that for moderate drinkers, when mixed with a typically Mediterranean diet, a small glass of wine (125ml) a day lowered the chance of needing medical treatment compared with heavier boozers or those that abstain.

A glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away, a Harvard study has found. File image used 

A glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away, a Harvard study has found. File image used 

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Over six years, there were 13,000 hospital admissions for those taking part, who had an average age of 56.

Those who never touched a drop were 11 per cent more likely to find themselves hospitalised than the glass-a-day club. 

Previous studies have suggested red wine, in moderation, can be good for your heart, containing compounds that lower heart disease.

But Dr Ken Mukamal, of the Harvard Medical School, said: 'We are absolutely not saying that any teetotaller should start drinking to improve his/her health.'

The study was published in the journal Addiction.

Those who enjoy a tipple, but not too much, are less likely to be admitted to hospital than teetotallers. File image used 

Those who enjoy a tipple, but not too much, are less likely to be admitted to hospital than teetotallers. File image used 

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