The secret to longevity of 1,000 elderly people: Not from exercise habits

Since ancient times, people have always longed for a long life. While the ancients searched for the secret of immortality, modern people want to live a healthy life, enjoying life with their children and grandchildren until they are a hundred years old.

Many studies have shown that human longevity is affected by many factors. According to statistics, China is the country with the highest number of centenarians in the world, accounting for 12% of the total number of centenarians worldwide. This makes experts extremely surprised and curious to discover the secret behind it.

According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the average life expectancy of people globally increased by 8% compared to 2000, from 59 years old to 63 years old. In China, this figure is 77.3 years old, based on data from the "Statistical Bulletin of Health and Medical Career Development" in 2020. Thus, it can be seen that the average life expectancy of people is improving. According to Chinese standards, people who reach 77.3 years old are considered to have a long life.

A study conducted in Sichuan Province (China) in 2010 collected data from 2,300 elderly people, of whom 1,000 were over 100 years old. The results showed that the secret to their longevity did not lie in regular exercise but in two main factors: optimism and a scientific diet.

In modern life, people have to face countless pressures from work, family and society. Prolonged stress and anxiety will negatively affect physical and mental health. These centenarians often have a comfortable mentality, live happily, love life so they rarely get angry. They always find ways to balance their emotions, think positively to live happily and healthily every day.

Besides, the ancients have a saying "disease comes from the import", meaning that disease often comes from unscientific eating habits.

These 1,000 elderly people usually maintain a frugal diet, prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables, and limiting meat consumption. They often grow their own food and use these products to prepare dishes for their families.

In addition, adding dark-colored fruits such as mulberries, blueberries, red-fleshed dragon fruit, cherries... is also a common habit of the elderly because they contain many antioxidants, vitamins (A, B, C, D, E), selenium, iron, calcium... to help increase resistance, prevent cancer and prolong life.

In addition, research by American scientists in the Journal of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS) shows that optimistic and life-loving people often have a life expectancy about 10% longer than normal people, and can even live to 85 years old or more. These people are always curious about the life around them, they face difficulties with a positive attitude, always looking for ways to solve problems instead of complaining and being pessimistic.

Another study in the US in 2020 also showed that people with a healthy body mass index (BMI) and who gain weight slowly over time and are not obese tend to live longer. In addition, sleep also plays an indispensable role in human health.

People who regularly suffer from insomnia often have poor health, are irritable, and have pale skin. Getting enough sleep helps the body eliminate toxins, improve liver function, and thereby improve overall health.

To live a healthy and long life, readers can refer to some of the following simple tips: Drink a cup of warm water after waking up to replenish the amount of water lost through the respiratory tract and excretion after a long night, while also helping to thin the blood, preventing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

You also need to maintain a daily exercise routine to help improve your mood, improve your health, and regulate your biological clock, making it easier for you to fall asleep. Finally, always maintain good personal hygiene, wash your hands regularly with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from entering your body and causing disease.