LONDON. – More and more of us could live to 100 – but making sure you get there in good health too is another matter. Latest figures from the Office…
LONDON. – More and more of us could live to 100 – but making sure you get there in good health too is another matter.
Latest figures from the Office For National Statistics show there were 15,172 people aged 100 or over in 2025 — a 21.6 per cent increase since 2015.
Some researchers believe advances in medicine and our understanding of ageing could enable more people to reach 110, 120 or beyond.
Leslie Kenny, the co-founder of longevity company Oxford Healthspan, has a biological age of 21 at 61.
The mum-of-two says: “There are things you can do to increase your chances of a long and healthy life. It’s about ageing well in terms of your physical, mental and social health.”
Here Leslie, who is writing a new book on the secrets to a healthy life, reveals how to add years to your life.
Women can gain 10.4 years and men 10.8 years from the age of 40 by ditching ultra-processed foods and choosing wholegrains, nuts, fruit, veg, legumes and fish, as well as less sugar, processed meats and refined grains, a study by the University of Newcastle shows.
NINE YEARS
Going to a 90-minute gig twice a month could add an astonishing nine years on to your life, says Goldsmith’s University data psychologist Patrick Fagan.
This is because concerts can increase your feeling of wellbeing, which has been linked to lifespan.
SEVEN YEARS
Having a purpose for 90 minutes a week, such as helping a neighbour with shopping or picking up litter, could add seven years.
A University of Michigan study of 7,000 over-50s found those with the lowest sense of purpose had a greater risk of dying.
** FIVE YEARS**
Looking after your grandchildren can help you stay young at heart. Over-70s who provide occasional, non-custodial care, according to one German study, had a 37 per cent lower chance of dying over a 20-year period.
** FIVE YEARS**
Engaging with the arts just once a month — from visiting a museum to picking up a paint brush — leads to a three per cent slower pace of ageing, says a University College London study.
FOUR YEARS
Being social can keep you happy and healthy.
A comprehensive review of 148 studies involving 300,000 people found they had a 50 per cent greater likelihood of survival if they visited a friend or were in a social group than those with poor connections.
FOUR YEARS
Ensure you kip for six to nine hours a night to maximise rest and repair.
Analysis by health insurer Vitality and the London School of Economics estimated this healthy bedtime habit could extend your life by up to four years.
FOUR YEARS
Longevity expert Sir Muir Gray recommends 30 minutes of brisk walking a day to reduce your risk of dementia by 30 per cent, heart disease by 35 per cent, Type 2 diabetes by 50 per cent. He reckons it can add an average of 4.2 years to life expectancy.
TWO YEARS
This is your call to eat oily sardines once a week. People with higher levels of omega- 3 in their blood live an average of 2.2 years longer than those with lower levels, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
TWO YEARS
A study found drinking coffee two to three times a day could help you to stay alive for an extra two years. It is an important source of polyphenols, a compound that has anti-inflammatory effects.
TWO YEARS
Whether you are reading The Sun on Sunday or a book, a Yale University study found over-50s who read for 30 minutes a day live an average of 23-24 months longer than non-readers.
** ONE YEAR**
Eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate can lower your risk of stroke due to its high antioxidant content and extend your life expectancy. — Sun Club
