4 Surprising signs you'll live a long time

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4 Surprising signs you'll live a long time

by Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief, PREVENTION, on Fri Oct 17, 2008 11:57am

We all know the obvious ways to add years to your life: Don't smoke, eat your

veggies, wear a seat belt (even in the backseat). But there are other,

lesser-known habits and attributes that can help you live to a ripe old age.

YOU SKIP SODA (EVEN DIET)

I finally kicked my diet cola habit in my 20s, a good thing too, because

scientists in Boston recently found that drinking one or more regular or diet

sodas every day doubles your risk of metabolic syndrome-- combination of

conditions that increase your chances of heart disease and diabetes. The exact

culprit isn't completely understood, 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 tastebuds 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. For a good alternative, try Sassy Water.

YOUR LEGS ARE STRONG

Lower-body strength means you also have good balance, flexibility, and

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 older folks. So do some squats, lunges, and stair climbing

to look good now-- and be strong and healthy later. It's win-win! Get up to 10

pounds lighter and take 10 years off your body with this workout.

YOUR MOM HAD YOU YOUNG

If she was under age 25, you're twice as likely to live to age 100 as someone

born to an older mom, according to University of Chicago scientists. The reason,

they suspect, is that younger moms' best eggs go first to fertilization, which

may mean healthier offspring.

YOU EAT AND DRINK PURPLE THINGS

Red wine, concord grapes, blueberries (okay, not quite 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, according to new

research. So crack open a bottle of Pinot (don't overdo it), snack on some

grapes, or make a blueberry pie and ponder all the years that lie ahead. Talk

about happy and healthy!

source:

http://shine./channel/health/4-surprising-signs-you-ll-live-a-long-time\

-290919/