(RxWiki News) A new study identified five healthy habits that could increase your life expectancy.
The authors of this study noted that, among high-income nations, the United States had a relatively short average life expectancy: 79.3 years old. Looking at more than 120,000 men and women over multiple decades, this study found that individuals who make certain healthy lifestyle choices may live longer than average. Those healthy habits are as follows:
- Not smoking
- Limiting alcohol intake (up to about one 5-ounce glass of wine per day for women, or up to two glasses for men)
- Maintaining a healthy body weight (low body mass index: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2)
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising (at least 30 minutes or more per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity)
The researchers estimated women who adopted none of the above health habits by age 50 were expected to live 29 more years. For men, that figure was 25.5 more years. On the other hand, the researchers projected women, who adopted all of these healthy habits by age 50, to live 43.1 more years. Men who did the same were projected to live 37.6 more years, this study found.
The authors of this study said public policies should promote healthy lifestyle choices to increase life expectancy. Ask your health care provider for help making healthier lifestyle choices.
This study was published in the journal Circulation.
The National Institutes of Health funded this research. Information on potential conflicts of interest was not available at the time of publication.
