Genetics play a big role when it comes to longevity – but don’t underestimate the power of healthy habits. Studies show that a healthy lifestyle can offset the negative effects of life-shortening genes by 62%. “This new research shows that despite genetic factors, a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced, nutritious diet and exercise, can help us live longer,” says Matt Lambert, health information and promotion manager at the World Cancer Research Fund. The GuardianHere you can find out what 12 centenarians eat and what they avoid.
RELATED: 112-year-old woman reveals what she eats every day (and what she doesn’t eat) for a long life
Deborah eats a predominantly plant-based diet
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Deborah Szekely is 102 and eats mostly plant-based foods. She occasionally eats fish, but no red meat. “I am a pescatarian. And I was actually lucky enough to never eat meat thanks to my parents,” she said. CNBC does it.
Elizabeth abstains from alcohol and remains active
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At 115, Elizabeth Francis is the oldest person in the United States. “It’s just unbelievable,” said her 68-year-old granddaughter Ethel Harrison TODAY“She tried to stay healthy. Her life was pretty simple, basically. She didn’t go to parties and stuff like that. She was more of a homebody. She went to church.” Harrison says Francis never smoked, didn’t drink alcohol and walked her dog until she was in her 90s.
Lenora swears by the Mediterranean diet and olive oil
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Lenora, 102, says the Mediterranean diet is the secret to a long life. “People ask me what I attribute my longevity to. First and foremost, I say I owe it all to God. God has been good to me,” she said Northwell Health“And I say olive oil because I eat a Mediterranean diet and I’ve always eaten a Mediterranean diet since I’m of Italian descent. And I have some neighbors who never eat vegetables, but I eat my green vegetables and I eat raw vegetables and salads.”
Shirley likes to avoid sugar and drinks skimmed milk
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Shirley Hodes, 106, avoids sugar and drinks skim milk. “I like to eat simple, balanced foods without too many sweets,” Hodes said. DO IT.
Bikram eats five fruits and five vegetables every day
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Bikram Singh Grewal, 100, eats five fruits and five vegetables every day. “I believe that a combination of good nutrition, exercise and a regular sleep schedule can help anyone reach the age of 100,” he said The Washington Post.
Yoshiko says noodles are the key
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Yoshiko Miwa, 110, eats noodles every day. “When I was in the children’s home, the cook made noodles and I loved them,” she said TODAY“Today I like spaghetti, udon, ramen, soba and all other kinds of noodles.”
Dorothy drinks a glass of champagne every day
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Dorothy Flowers, 108, drinks a glass of champagne every day. “Dorothy loves company, which is why she sits with us at the reception every day,” says Helene Ballinger, director of Flowers’ nursing home. The Independent. “She is so regular that she has her own drawer that we fill with chocolate chips. Her real secret to longevity, however, is champagne. That is the only thing we always see her drinking a glass of.”
Jack likes dark chocolate and honey
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Jack Van Nordheim, 100, eats dark chocolate and honey. He doesn’t eat fast food and enjoys home-cooked food like chicken and pasta. “I’ve had a little beer and a little wine, that’s all. No firewater,” he said insider.
Edith loves bourbon, water and Cheetos
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Edith Atkinson Wylie, 106, has a more unusual take on longevity. “Good genes and maybe bourbon, water and Cheetos while watching the 5 o’clock news,” she told Great Falls Tribune.
Andy swears by a vodka martini a day
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Andy Medema lived to be 101 years old by following some very simple rules: “A vodka martini a day, no cigarettes and hard work”, he said.
Dark chocolate and vegetables from her garden
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Eunice Modlin, 102, eats vegetables from her garden and has never smoked or drunk alcohol. “She eats two pieces of dark chocolate every day,” said granddaughter Tammy Modlin Gentry TODAY. “She always limited herself to two pieces so that she wouldn’t gain weight.”
