There’s a cool club in town. Do you want to get a membership? To win the longevity state of a centenary, you have to reach 100 years of age. According to the world economic forumAs of 2021, there were more than 500,000 people from all over the world aged 100 and over. It’s a pretty exclusive state, and we’re here to share some healthy habits for living to 100 and beyond.
The World Economic Forum reveals that there are approximately 97,000 centenarians living in the United States alone, making it the country that is home to the largest number of centenarians on the planet. Japan is home to the second largest number of 100-year-olds, with 79,000 centenarians (0.06% of its population). The “oldest living human”, Kane Tanaka, lived to be 119 years old and resided in Japan. Following Tanaka’s passing in April 2022, Lucile Randon, 118 years old.-also known as Sister André, a nun from France- assumed the title of the oldest person in the world, which has been confirmed by the Guinness World Records.
The United Nations predicts the total number of 100 year olds in the world will increase to 573,000 this year. Average life expectancy in many countries has increased. Some of the other countries with a high number of centenarians include Hong Kong, Uruguay, and Puerto Rico.
Without further ado, if you want to achieve centenarian status, let’s get into the healthy habits to live to be 100 years old. Keep reading to know more.
The key to living a long life is to live a healthy. After all, what good is longevity if you can’t enjoy it? Of course, diet and exercise are essential when it comes to maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle. But that is only part of it. Get inspired by Sister André. She savors a glass of red wine every day, which David Tavella, the activities leader at the nursing home where Sister André resides, reveals to be “perhaps her secret to longevity” (via well+well). Another of Sister André’s favorite treats? Chocolate!
Related: Lifestyle Habits That Slow Aging, From a 100-Year-Old Neurologist
A to study conducted at Washington State University Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reveals that people residing in highly walkable areas with a good mix of ages may have a higher chance of reaching age 100. Rajan Bhardwaj, study author and WSU medical student, explains, “Our study adds to the growing body of evidence that social and environmental factors contribute significantly to longevity.”
UnitedHealthCare surveyed 100 centenarians with a variety of questions about their health and general lifestyle habits. The centenarians surveyed said that staying positive is a crucial part of living a long life. The results indicate that maintaining a positive attitude is one of the healthy habits to live to be 100 years old and beyond.
Related: Doctors weigh in on exercise habits that slow aging
Nuts are healthy to eat, more specifically peanuts! According to a Vanderbilt University study, walnuts are linked to a lower risk of death (via men’s diary). An earlier study by Harvard looked at 119,000 medical professionals over a 30-year period. People who ate about a handful of walnuts a day were found to have a 29% lower chance of developing heart disease and a 20% lower risk of dying.
New research conducted by the National Cancer Institute and published in the journal Open JAMA Network indicates that you can live longer if you add leisure activities to your routine (through CNN). By choosing something you love to do, whether it’s tennis, pickleball, swimming or running, leisurely physical activity appears to reduce the likelihood of early mortality, in addition to death from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The scientists reviewed the responses of more than 272,000 people between the ages of 59 and 82, who were followed for 12 years or more as part of a health and diet study. Research indicates that a combination of aerobic activities performed for the recommended amount of time each week (2.5 to 5 hours of moderately intense exercise or 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous aerobic exercise per week), results in decreased 13% in mortality risk.
alexa mellardo
Alexa is the Mind + Body Associate Editor for Eat This, Not That!, overseeing the M+B channel, and providing readers with engaging topics on fitness, wellness, and personal care. Read more about Alexa
