Could Taking Health Advice from the World's Oldest People Be Risky?

Although we still do not fully understand why some people live past 100, scientists increasingly agree that disregarding centenarians' advice may be the wisest approach.

Following the death at 117 of the world's oldest person, Maria Branyas Morera, many may have wondered about the secret to an exceptionally long life. Scientists, however, say that taking longevity advice from centenarians (people over 100) may not be the best approach.

According to Guinness World Records, Branyas attributed her long life to “order, tranquility, good connections with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, freedom from worry and regret, plenty of positivity, and staying away from toxic people.”

Two Theories

Richard Faragher, professor of biogerontology at the University of Brighton in England, says scientists are still trying to understand why some people live past 100.

He notes that there are two main theories, which are not mutually exclusive.

The first is that some individuals are simply lucky . In other words, having certain habits does not mean those habits caused centenarians' longevity; this logical error is known as “survivorship bias.”

"Surviving while smoking 60 cigarettes a day does not mean smoking heavily is good for you,” Faragher says.

The second theory is that centenarians possess special genetic characteristics that enable long lives. In other words, their genes may make them more resilient.

Faragher says both theories point to the same warning: “Never, ever take health and lifestyle tips from centenarians."

He adds that centenarians often exercise little and do not have particularly healthy diets, noting that some smoke.

“This goes against much of the epidemiological evidence, based on population observation, that we have about extending healthy life,” he says. He adds that a large study showed that not smoking, exercising, drinking in moderation, and eating five portions of fruit and vegetables daily could extend life by up to 14 years.

"The fact that centenarians sail through life despite many of these unhealthy habits suggests they are either lucky or genetically very well equipped,” he says.

Although Maria Branyas acknowledged luck's role in her long life, her daughter Rosa Moret attributed it to genetics. Speaking to regional Catalan television in 2023, Moret said, “She has never been to hospital, never broken a bone; she is well and has no pain”.

Faragher adds that many proposed explanations for centenarians' longevity may actually be examples of reverse causation. For instance, the idea that a positive mindset helps people live exceptionally long lives may partly reflect that better health makes people more optimistic.

“When was the last time you had a really positive mindset with toothache?” he asks.

He notes that studies of centenarians tend to focus on what might have helped them survive while overlooking “inhibiting” factors.

What We Know and What We Do Not

Prof. David Gems, a geneticist at University College London, emphasizes that sex is an important factor in longevity, with women aging more slowly than men. However, luck also matters, with natural variation in aging rate providing one example.

"I work on nematode worms that live only a few weeks,” he says. “The worms are genetically identical and kept under identical conditions, yet the first die of old age after about 10 days and the last after about 30 days."

Although individual luck may help explain why some people live past 100, experts say there are well-known factors that can increase life expectancy, including improvements in healthcare and hygiene.

"About 100 years ago, we began seeing major gains in life expectancy through improvements that reduced the likelihood of children dying,” says David Sinclair, CEO of the International Longevity Centre. He emphasizes that these gains came largely from introducing vaccines and clean water.

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“What we have seen over the past 20 years and will see over the next 20 is a similar focus on older age,” Sinclair says. He adds that this includes developments in influenza and shingles vaccines, statins, and other medicines that will help extend life among older people.

However, he says governments need to take steps to help people make healthier choices that will ultimately allow them to live longer. Many people live in environments where exercising, eating well, or avoiding pollution is difficult.

Yet reaching a three-digit age does not mean life will be full of happiness and cake.

Sinclair notes that reports about centenarians are generally cheerful, but it also emerges that they face challenges such as living alone for years.

"The reality is not always as positive as it appears,” he says.

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