I suggest adding another truism – ‘living longer’ – to the two we already have, which are ‘death’ and ‘taxes’. Yes, humans are living longer! Is it a healthier lifestyle, medical advances or simply our genes that have caused this phenomenon? The experts say it’s all of these, plus a few more.
The United Nations Population Division estimates that this year the worldwide centenarian population will be about 935,000 – just short of one million. A small fraction, considering the total human population is around eight billion! In 1901, Australia only had 50 centenarians. That increased in 2021 to a ratio of 32 centenarians per 100,000 people, which puts us 14th on the world centenarian scale – ahead of the United States and the United Kingdom.
Reaching the Century Mark
History tells us that very few people in antiquity lived into their hundreds. Cicero’s wife Terentia, who lived around 100 BC, reached her 103-year milestone. The Babylonian king Nabonidus created a record by getting to 104 years in 600 BC!
There are some benefits to hitting the hundred-year mark. In Japan, easily number one on the world centenarian scale, they reward century-makers with a silver cup and a certificate. Taiwan dishes out a gold pendant necklace and certificate. But Ireland takes the cake! When you reach 100, you receive 2540 pounds and a certificate and a year later you are presented with a unique silver coin! We Aussies, like everyone else in the Commonwealth, get a congratulatory letter from the British monarch.
So how do we get to 100? The Longevity Diet recommends two daily meals – breakfast and midday, or in the evening. Meals consisting of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and mixed berries are recommended. According to Blue Zones researcher Don Buettner, one of the secrets to a long life is to regularly drink the five liquids – green tea, black tea, black coffee, water and red wine! Try to avoid stress. Exercise, socialise, eat sensibly and check your genetics – family history has tales to tell! One last statistic – shorter people may live longer than taller ones!
Read more stories from our Redcliffe Guide print magazine here:
- Reddy Roundup: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Bingles, Bathers and By-laws: The First Redcliffe Shire Council
- Beautiful You and Home of Hope Liberia: Empowering Women in Crisis
- Brad’s Business Tips
- Morwong Diagramma Pictum Labiosum
- Podcast Review: A Very British Cult
- Local Faces
- Bookworm
- Movember for Men’s Mental Health
- Mousetrap Theatre Unwraps Christmas Joy For All Ages
- Tune In for Fun at 99.7 Bridge FM Open Day
- Piper Movie Review
