Reaching one hundred sounds impossible for most people but there are a bunch of signs that show you might be headed that way if things keep going the way they are. Some of them are pretty simple and you might not even think about them much as you go through your day.
Being female is one of those things that has been known for years to help with longer life. Women usually outlive men and people keep talking about why that happens and part of it is biology and part of it is the choices men tend to make that can be more risky.
Food plays a big part and a lot of people who live longer eat things from East African and Asian cuisine. Turmeric is one of those things that goes back thousands of years and curcumin seems to help animals live longer so people think it might help us too even if we are still waiting for clearer proof.
Coffee drinkers will probably like knowing that moderate coffee helps with longevity, according to a study from Harvard in 2015. It seems like three to five cups of black coffee helps lower the risk of dying early because of the antioxidants and how they help with inflammation and insulin resistance, so sugary drinks do not count.
Another sign is having a long-term partner because a study showed people who never married were almost twice as likely to die early compared to people in solid relationships. Having a person around who cares and supports you really does something for your health, even if you do not notice it every day.
Whole grains also matter a lot because they carry things like polyphenols that help lower the risk of dying from certain diseases. There was a study that showed people with more polyphenols in their system had a much lower mortality rate so it seems like it really helps.
Seafood is another piece, and it comes from the omega 3 fats that are in fish and other seafood. They help with heart health and circulation and can lower the risk of dying from heart problems by a large amount, which is pretty impressive if you think about it.
People who are social tend to have a better shot at living longer too. One huge analysis showed that strong social connections gave people about a 50 percent higher chance of survival compared to those who were isolated and it did not matter about age or health or anything else.
Pets are also part of this, especially dog,s because they get you moving. A pet brings happiness and routine and exercise and that combination seems to help with long term health.
Not smoking is obviously a big one because non smokers live about ten years longer than regular smokers. And quitting still helps a lot even if someone quits later because it cuts the risk of dying from smoking related conditions in a big way.
People who read often seem to live longer too even though it feels like a quiet hobby. A study showed avid readers live about 23 months more than people who mostly watch TV or read only magazines and newspapers.
A healthy weight matters since it affects things like heart health and diabetes risk. BMI is used but it is not perfect so a doctor can help figure out what is actually healthy for a specific person since everyone is built a little differently.
Eating breakfast is not magical but people who do usually have habits that help their health in other ways like good routines and better stability in their lives. Breakfast also keeps people from grabbing junk food later which really adds up.
Regular checkups might not be fun but they matter more as people get older. It is easier to handle problems early so people who want to live a long time try not to skip these visits even when it feels inconvenient.
Having a family seems to help too especially later in life. A study from Sweden showed that people over eighty lived longer when they had children probably because of emotional support and having company as they aged.
Good sleep habits help as well, since both too little and too much sleep can shorten life. Sleep is still something researchers are studying, but a stable routine seems to be good for the body.
People who cannot sit still and do not like sitting all day have a small advantage too, because a sedentary lifestyle can cut life short, even if a person exercises later. Getting up once an hour helps balance out all the sitting that many people have to do for work.
Flossing might sound like some dentist joke, but gum disease is tied to kidney and heart problems so it actually matters for long term health. Flossing daily lowers the chances of these issues and also saves people money since dental work can get expensive without insurance.
Moderate drinking does not hurt longevity as much as people think based on a look at over one hundred studies. Heavy drinking does cause problems but people who drink moderately do about the same as people who do not drink at all when it comes to lifespan.
Knowing your family history really matters because so much of our health is tied to genetics. Talking about these things with family can help people prepare and avoid surprises later.
Financial security also seems to play a part because it allows people to afford healthier food and areas that are safer and cleaner. Money cannot guarantee anything, but it does give people better access to health and reduces stress.
And finally, not overeating helps because calorie-dense foods mess with our metabolism and gut. The amount people eat is a big problem with these foods and eating too much can affect long-term health more than people realize.
