“People who drink heavily live longer than those who completely abstain from alcohol, according to a new study conducted by a psychologist at the University of Texas. How, exactly, does booze extend your lifespan? It seems to decrease your risk of heart disease and diabetes, although no one knows exactly how that happens. Researchers are nearly certain that regular consumption of alcohol increases levels of HDL, the so-called ‘good cholesterol,’ although physicians disagree on whether this can account for the decrease in heart disease among drinkers.”