Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health have identified five habits that can significantly reduce the risk of serious diseases like type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer as individuals age. Adopting these habits can potentially prevent these ailments even at the age of 50.
The study, which involved analyzing health data from 73,196 women and 38,366 men, found that men who consistently followed four to five of these habits remained diabetes-free for 31 years by the age of 50. Similarly, women who adhered to these habits enjoyed 34 disease-free years without diabetes.
This research underscores the importance of incorporating these habits into one’s lifestyle to promote long-term health and prevent the onset of severe illnesses.
The 5 Habits
1. Healthy diet: Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Scientists believe that a person’s diet plays a major role in preventing the effects of aging. American health agency CDC says, one out of every 4 deaths is due to heart disease. Apart from this, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and nutritional deficiency are major risk factors for diseases. To avoid these dangers, there is a need to increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in the diet.
2. Workout: 30 minutes of exercise daily is necessary
Exercise should be done daily. It reduces weight and also reduces the risk of many diseases. It helps in keeping the body healthy and also reduces the effects of aging.
3. BMI: Keep body weight under control
The National Institute of Health also says that the ideal condition is for a person’s body mass index (BMI) to be between 18.5 and 24.9. Those with BMI less than 18.5 fall in the category of underweight and those above 25 are considered obese.
Body mass index is a scale by which a person’s height and weight are used to find out whether the weight is more or less as per the body. Scientists say obesity has become the cause of many diseases. In such people, the risk of type-2 diabetes, cancer, respiratory problems and gallstones increases.
4. Alcohol is bad: Stay away from alcohol
The habit of drinking alcohol damages the body in many ways. It has adverse effects on the brain, heart, liver and pancreas. Drinking alcohol can cause many serious diseases like ulcer, cancer, and heart disease. Therefore it is better to stay away from it.
5. No-smoking: Quit smoking
According to the CDC, smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and COPD. Apart from increasing the risk of TB and eye diseases, it also weakens the immune system that protects the body from diseases.