There has long been intense debate over the role that alcohol plays in human health. Obviously, severe alcoholism is unhealthy, but research has found that light alcohol intake (drinking a little on a regular basis, not drinking lite beer) seems to have a health promoting effect on people.

A new study done on rats, found that rats who are genetically predisposed to drink alcohol actually live longer than rats who are genetically predisposed to avoid alcohol, regardless of alcohol intake, and they also discovered that in rats drinking did not effect longevity.

Now as rats are different from humans, this research does not mean that binge drinking and alcoholism are, in fact healthy, for research has show that they are now, but it does reinforce the view that moderate intake of alcohol is not only not harmful, but may in fact be healthy.

It also, unfortunately, may mean that the reason the French are healthier may have less to do with lifestyle and more to do with genetics.

But only time and research will tell.