• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
100-year-old man reveals why the secret to his long life is eating this one food

Home> News> Health

Published 18:55 14 Nov 2024 GMT

100-year-old man reveals why the secret to his long life is eating this one food

Centenarian Albert Stiles celebrated the major milestone moment last month

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

A centenarian has opened up about the food he believes has allowed him to live a long life - and there are some serious scientific studies behind it.

The Elixir of Life, mentioned throughout ancient history and also in pop culture offerings like the Harry Potter book series, is a supposed potion you drink to be granted perpetuity.

While the idea of immortality may appeal to you, it’s frankly impossible to achieve today, especially by simply downing a pint of mythical elixir.

What is true, though, is that there are tried-and-tested methods you can utilize to prolong your life expectancy, including eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and cutting out bad habits like smoking or taking drugs.

Advert

Interestingly, one resident of Great Britain has gone as far as to credit a specific food for allowing him to celebrate his 100th birthday.

A man claims eating one particular food has allowed him to live for so long (CareUK)
A man claims eating one particular food has allowed him to live for so long (CareUK)

Albert Stiles, who lives in a care home in Bristol, England, hit the major milestone on October 1 and has since opened up about how ‘very unreal’ it feels to be 100 years old.

“It doesn’t seem possible really. I thought when I retired at 50 years old that I may live to 70 years and a bit, but this feels very unreal to have made it to 100,” the retired religious education teacher told CareUK.

Advert

Elsewhere in the interview, Stiles revealed his little ‘secret’ to becoming a centenarian.

“Living a wholesome life but eating beetroot might have helped,” he claimed.

Interestingly, there is actually quite a bit of science and numerous studies to back up Stiles’ comment.

Beetroot is a food that typically contains high concentrations of dietary nitrate.

Advert

Albert Stiles' beetroot theory has been the subject of numerous studies (CareUK)
Albert Stiles' beetroot theory has been the subject of numerous studies (CareUK)

Nitrates can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure, according to a study published by Cambridge University Press in 2017.

“A small, downward shift in systolic blood pressure across the population could significantly reduce the incidence of hypertension and mortality from CVD such as stroke,” wrote research leads Ann Ashworth and Raul Bescos.

Another study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that dietary nitrates can help increase blood flow in elderly brains.

Advert

The conclusion was drawn after studying participants who consumed a high-nitrate diet - including beetroot juice - before undergoing a brain MRI scan.

Results showed that dietary nitrate may be important to increase blood flow in hypoxic or ischemic areas and that this superfood could help slow down cognitive decline.

Beetroot contains high concentrations of dietary nitrate (Getty Stock Image)
Beetroot contains high concentrations of dietary nitrate (Getty Stock Image)

Speaking out on how chowing down on beetroot every day could help improve your chances of remaining fit and healthy, Katie Lansley, a PhD student, told The Express: “What we've seen in studies is that beetroot juice can actually reduce the amount of oxygen you need to perform even low-intensity exercise.

Advert

“In principle, this effect could help people do things they wouldn't otherwise be able to do.

“While we haven't yet measured the effects on the elderly or those with heart or lung conditions, there is the potential for a positive impact in these populations which we intend to go on and investigate further.”

So, it turns out Stiles could be on to the so-called Elixir of Life after all!

Featured Image Credit: CareUK

Topics: Food and Drink, Health, UK News, Life

Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    93% rated Amazon Prime show had Stephen King labeling it 'really smart' as fans binge all three seasons

    Fans were blown away by the 'unique' show, which even got Stephen King's seal of approval

    Film & TV
  • 5 hours ago

    Coca-Cola responds after Donald Trump makes shocking claim he's changing the recipe

    Americans could soon be tasting a new version of Coke as President Donald Trump intervenes

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Donald Trump diagnosed with chronic vein condition after recent photos sparked health concerns

    The White House's physician has revealed that the 79-year-old received a chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis

    News
  • 6 hours ago

    Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner tragically dies during stunt aged 56

    Felix Baumgartner is fondly remembered for one particular impressive stunt

    News
  • 100-year-old identical twins reveal secret to long life after celebrating milestone
  • 101-year-old woman reveals surprising eating habits which has enabled her to live a long life
  • Terrifying study finds eating one of these common foods a day increases type 2 diabetes by 11%
  • Dick Van Dyke reveals his one secret to a long life as he nears 100 years old