A daily pint of beer or glass of wine can slash the risk of dying young by up to a quarter, a study found.

Women who downed between three and seven alcoholic drinks a week were 25 percent less likely to suffer a premature death.

They were also 34 percent less likely to die of heart disease, compared with those who were lifetime teetotallers.

Men who consumed three to 14 drinks a week benefited by 13 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

A small amount of booze is thought to boost levels of good cholesterol, improve the lining of blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

But it becomes harmful beyond a certain point, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports.

Scientists from the Shandong University School of Public Health in China analysed data from 333,247 people from 1997 to 2009.

They found men who knocked back more than 14 drinks a week increased their risk of dying young by 25 percent.

They were also 67 percent more likely to die from cancer.

The effect on women was so small that it was not considered statistically significant.

There was also no apparent link between heavy drinking and cardiovascular death rates in either sex.

Study leader Dr Bo Xi said: “Our research shows that light-to-moderate drinking might have some protective effects against cardiovascular disease, while heavy drinking can lead to death.

“A delicate balance exists between the beneficial and detrimental effects of alcohol consumption, which should be stressed to consumers and patients.”

In an accompanying opinion piece, expert Dr. Giovanni de Gaetano said: “For most older people, the overall benefits of light drinking clearly outweigh possible cancer risk.”

The UK Chief Medical Officers’ guideline says it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis in order to keep health risks to a low level.

Fourteen units is the equivalent of six glasses of wine, six pints of beer or 14 single measures of spirits.