Red wine is good for us. Alcohol is bad for us. Cut out sugar. Eat less fat. Eat more fat.

Every day we’re bombarded by often-contradictory advice on what to do to keep ourselves healthy. How can we separate fact from fad?

Written by a medical clinician, this is the ultimate myth-busting guide to what will really help us live a long and healthy life. Professor Thomas looks at each item on the ‘longevity list’ in turn, analysing why it’s come to be considered a health priority, and giving his scientifically backed verdict on how much attention we really need to pay to it.

Along the way you’ll discover stacks of intriguing, entertaining and often very funny facts. Why do people get drunk more quickly on champagne? Is caffeine really a performance-enhancing drug? Can chocolate improve your sex life? This is the one-stop checklist to living a life that might just see you reach your 100th birthday and beyond!

Merlin Thomas is Professor of Medicine at Monash University. He is both a physician and a research scientist, and has a broad interest in all aspects of preventive medicine and ageing. He is internationally recognized as a speaker, opinion-leader, teacher and medical storyteller.