A group of Harvard scientists found that living a healthy lifestyle can add more than one decade to your lifespan. Researchers found that there are five lifestyle habits that can prolong life: a healthy diet, exercise, weight control, smoking cessation, and staying away from alcohol.
The study also found that adult Americans are more likely to die prematurely than their peers in other developed countries. The study revealed that a healthy lifestyle can literally add years to a person’s life expectancy.
In the study, researchers sifted through medical data on 123,000 people. The study tracked participants for 34 years. Study participants agreed to answer some lifestyle questions.
Scientists found that people who embraced the said five lifestyle habits with no exception were more likely to live longer. In men, the life expectancy climbed by 12 years, while in women, life expectancy jumped 14 years.
Healthy Diet, Exercising, and Alcohol Restrictions Are a Must
Study authors recommend diets that are high in fresh fruits and vegetables. Processed foods should be avoided, while the added sugar content should be trimmed. The intake of red meat and saturated fats should also be reduced.
People are advised to limit the intake of alcoholic drinks to 30 grams of alcohol per day for men, and 15 grams per day for women.
Also, exercising vigorously 30 minutes per day should also be on the list if you want a longer life. The body mass index (BMI) should stand between 18.5 and 24.9.
Scientists are confident that the five lifestyle habits can dramatically up the life expectancy of Americans. The risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer is also reduced in people leading a healthy lifestyle.
Study authors were shocked by how much a person’s lifestyle can boost their life expectancy.
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