Basic Pursuits

Want to live 14 years longer?

1.)Quit smoking. 2.)Exercise. 3.)Drink moderately. 4.)Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Cambridge University Prof. Kay-Tee Khaw and colleagues surveyed 20,244 men and women living in Norfolk, Britain. None had ever known cancer or heart disease and were between the ages of 45 and 79. Each were given a point for one of the healthy behaviors listed above. Low alchohol intake was defined as "...less than five large glasses of wine or five pints of medium-strength lager..." per week. That's about a bottle of wine or a six pack and a half of American beer.

When in 2006 - an average of 11 years later - the researchers re-contacted those who took part, they found 1,987 had died since they were first interviewed.

Those who scored zero points, by having smoked, drank, failed to exercise and failed to eat enough fruit and vegetables, were four times more likely to have died than those who scored four points.

On this basis, the healthiest group in the study were calculated to have a lifespan that was, on average, 14 years longer than those with the least healthy lifestyle.

Healthy life can give you another 14 years

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