The data is in and it is impressive: you can extend your life span by restricting your caloric intake by at least 30% fewer calories than you need to maintain normal weight for your height and age Before you plunge in and quickly adopt a drastically reduced diet –– consider two very good reasons why easing into a life of eating less food is recommended

A daily ration of wine – one glass for women, two for men – is widely recommended because of the belief that a moderate and regular consumption of wine is beneficial This belief was a result of studies which indicated that the French, despite a diet high in fat and consumption of wine had a low incidence of heart disease