Even small lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on health.
People leading a healthy lifestyle — not Smoking, not abusing alcohol, physically active and consume adequate amount of fruits and vegetables — is able to live 14 years longer. To such conclusion the British scientists by results of research with participation of 20 thousand healthy people aged 45 to 79 years.
The volunteers answered a questionnaire concerning their lifestyle. They also conducted blood tests to determine the level of vitamin C, which allowed to more accurately estimate the volume of consumed vegetables and fruits. According to testing experts from Cambridge University, exposed the participants a score from zero to four points. One point was awarded non-Smoking, physically active (engaged in physical exercise at least half an hour a day, as well as people whose profession is not connected with a sedentary lifestyle), daily consume at least five servings of vegetables and fruits (one serving equals, for example, half a grapefruit or Cup of green salad), and consume a moderate amount of alcohol (no more than one or two glasses of wine a day).
Participant observation was conducted within an average of eleven years. Then scientists led by K. T. Howe (Kay-Tee Khaw) analyzed the data taking into account the age of each participant. It turned out that the people who have received zero points according to the survey, the risk of premature death was four times higher than those who led a healthy lifestyle and got four balls. On average, the participants with the highest scores had the same risk of death as those who were 14 years younger, but neglected healthy habits. According to the researchers, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle extended to people regardless of their weight or income.
“The results indicate that even small lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on the health of the population”, — concluded scientists.
