An international team of researchers says having just one alcoholic drink a day might be enough to shorten your life expectancy.

According to the study, 100-grams of pure alcohol a week, which is the amount found in about seven typical drinks, was linked to a six-month shorter life span for a typical 40-year-old.

People who drink more also have a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and fatal hypertensive disease.

Researchers suggest the impact alcohol has on blood pressure may explain the link with cardiac diseases.