Do you know any recipe for how to reach 100 years old? No? Probably not, which is why you need to read this article. Centenarians aren’t found at every corner, that’s for sure, but the human body is capable of extraordinary things. It can even last for over 100 years if you take good care of it.
You are probably tempted to believe that in order to have a chance at reaching 100 years old, you need to do a lot of pushups daily, avoid alcohol and drugs, never neglect your bedtime, and so on. But actually, the secret might be a lot simpler than all that.
Take care of your gut if you want to reach 100 years old
It turns out that taking care of the tiny organisms living in our gut is the key to a long and healthy life, as Daily Star reveals. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen conducted a study on Japanese people who had lived to be over 100 years old and discovered a unique combination of gut bacteria that had a positive impact on their digestive systems. These special bacteria produce molecules that protect against harmful microorganisms, which may be one of the reasons for the longevity of the centenarians.
Additionally, those who participated in the survey had a diverse range of bacteria and bacterial viruses in their guts, typically associated with a healthy gut microbiome. The diversity is believed to provide better protection against age-related diseases.
Dr. Joachim Johansen, the leader of the study, stated as Daily Star quotes:
Previous research has shown the intestinal bacteria of old Japanese citizens produce brand new molecules that make them resistant to pathogenic, disease-promoting, microorganisms,
And if their intestines are better protected against infection, well, then that is probably one of the things that cause them to live longer than others.
The new research highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome for living a longer and happier life.