A specialist in neurology from the University of California, Irvine spoke about the research at a recent conference.
She told British online newspaper The Independent she firmly believes that modest drinking improves longevity.
The study showed people who drank about two glasses of beer or wine a day were nearly 20 percent less likely to experience a premature death.
Click here to read a summary of the study.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated that alcohol was more important than exercise for longevity. That information has been removed from the story.