I’m sure we all know some of the obvious ways to add years to your life, for example, don't smoke, eat your veggies, and wear your seat belt and so forth. But there are other, lesser-known habits and attributes that can help you live to a ripe old age!
YOU SKIP COLAScientists in Boston recently found that drinking one or more regular or diet sodas every day doubles your risk of metabolic syndrome. Which are a combination of conditions that increase your chances of heart disease and diabetes later in life. The exact culprit isn't completely understood yet, but it could be the caramel color added to colas and other dark sodas, which increased the risk for metabolic syndrome in animals. Experts also speculate that exposing your taste buds to the sweet fizzy flavor of soda conditions you to crave sugary foods, which can lead to weight gain. Whatever the reason, it's an easy enough habit to quit. Club soda (sodium free, of course) with a splash of juice satisfies the fizz craving with just enough sweetness.
YOUR LEGS ARE STRONGLower-body strength means you also have good balance, flexibility, and overall endurance. While you probably care more about how your legs look in a mini and a pair of knee-high boots right now, as you get older those attributes reduce your risk of falls, injuries, and hip fractures, all of which are associated with declining health in grown folks. So do some squats, lunges, and stair climbing to look great now and be strong and healthy later.
YOUR MOM HAD YOU YOUNGIf your mother was under age 25 when you were born then you're twice as likely to live to 100 than someone born to an older mom. The reason, they suspect, is that younger moms' best eggs go first to fertilization, which may mean healthier offspring.
YOU EAT AND DRINK PURPLE THINGSRed wine, concord grapes,
blueberries (okay, not purple, but close enough!) all get that deep rich color from polyphenols compounds that reduce heart disease risk and may even protect against Alzheimer's disease later in life. So crack open a bottle of Pinot but don’t overdo it and snack on some grapes, or make a blueberry pie and make it a party!
