Secrets of a long life: 12 simple and surprising tips to help you live to 100 Here are some simple and often surprising tricks that research shows can extend your life..
4 Eat three walnuts a day Walnuts are the healthiest nut of all because they contain the most disease-fighting and anti-ageing antioxidants, according to recent search from the U niversity of London
1 Switch your latte for a cuppa Tea is packed with antioxidants called polyphenols that can help your body fight Eating just three walnuts a day is enough to heart disease, cancer and premature ageing. reap the full benefits. One Israeli study found that moderate tea drinkers lived substantially longer than those who don’t have a regular cuppa. But r emember to give it a good stir before removing the tea bag, as research shows this releases 15% more of the age-resisting ingredients. 2 Balance on one leg every morning It may sound strange, but standing on alternative legs while you dress in the morning forces your body to balance, strengthening your ‘core’ (back, pelvic and stomach) muscles which support your spine.
5 Use less sunscreen but don’t burn Figures show that 50% of people in the UK are deficient in vitamin D, the nutrient made by the action of sunlight on our skin, increasing our risk of a host of potentially fatal conditions including heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. To boost your v itamin D levels without raising your risk of skin cancer, Cancer Research UK now recommends getting a few minutes (in practice around 15 to 20) of sun around the middle of the day without sunscreen. But make sure you don’t burn, or you’ll wipe out any health benefits.
According to local physiotherapist Tom: “This simple daily act will offer significant long-term 6 Make six good mates you can always benefits when it comes to staying active for rely on longer and protecting against falls and broken bones as you get older.” Developing close friendships and family ties is the secret of living to 100, according to a 3 Have regular sex at least twice a week recent Australian study of centenarians. A large Welsh study on longevity found that those who had sex less than once a month Friends provide emotional support, which had double the risk of dying prematurely than helps us deal with stress, and feeling loved those who had sex twice a week. boosts production of feel-good chemicals dopamine and oxytocin, which promote brain Aside from the health benefits, couples with growth, combating ageing. a healthy sex life can also look up to seven years younger, according to a study by the Other r esearch has pinpointed six as the Royal Edinburgh Hospital – possibly optimum number of friends we each need. because sex reduces stress, leading to greater contentment and better sleep. 4
