Once every few months, the evening news pauses its sequence of bad news, bad news, and more bad news to feature a spirited man or woman who is celebrating their 100th birthday. You see them blowing out their candles, holding their great-great grandson, and enjoying cake with their family. Without fail, the reporter holds the mic in their direction and asks, “So what’s your secret to living this long?”
The answers from these victors may vary widely, from “eat your vegetables” to “go to the beach.” As fascinating (and often hilarious) as those answers are, researchers have tried to peg down a more, well, scientific answer. One 2018 study was able to do just that. The study, published in the journal Circulation, tracked the health of 120,000 adults for a span of 34 years while evaluating five specific lifestyle factors. The thought-provoking results revealed some potentially life-saving tips about how to prevent premature death.
References
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Weekly exercise targets.
American Heart Association. (n.d.). Eat smart.
American Heart Association. (2019). Is drinking alcohol part of a healthy lifestyle?
Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. (n.d.). Osteoporosis exercise for strong bones.
Li, Y., et al. (2018). Impact of healthy lifestyle factors on life expectancies in the US population. Circulation.
National Council on Aging. (2014). 10 ways malnutrition can impact your health — and what 6 steps to prevent it.
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