Dexter Kruger recently made headlines when he became Australia’s oldest ever living man at the age of 111 years and 124 days ( a day older than World War I veteran Jack Lockett was when he died in 2002.) When asked what contributed to his longevity, the age-defying, retired rancher gave a logic-defying answer — chicken brains!!! “You know chickens have a head. And in there, there’s a brain. And they are delicious little things. There’s only one little bite.” Chicken-brained though the whole thing may sound, it isn’t the first time one’s asked a supercentenarian this question to receive a surprising answer.
Here’s looking at the hilarious, simple, baffling, and bizarre secrets to living to a 100, according to the oldest people alive today:-
- Kane Tanaka – 118 years:- (Chocolates and Math):- While most of us are glad to leave behind tables and theorems in school, the world’s oldest living person — Kane Tanaka — is enjoying studying math well into her 100s. Before you dismiss her as a geeky geriatric, there’s a fun side to her, too, as she likes to play her favorite board game Othello with fellow residents at her nursing home in Fukuoka, Japan. As far her “lifestyle” is concerned, Tanaka has boasted about her ‘strong appetite’ in interviews, and isn’t afraid of indulging in chocolates and soft drinks.
- Lucile Randon – 117 years:- (Red Wine and Prayer):- The world’s second-oldest person, Lucile from France – also known as Sister Andre — beat COVID in February. When asked what makes her so invincible, Sister Andre, who is also the world’s oldest living nun, credited wine — apart from her faith in God, of course.
- Thelma Sutclliffe – 114 years :- ‘No Worries’:- If you wanna get to your 100s, worrying about it is certainly not the way to go! Because according to Thelma from USA, “What good does it do to worry?. Not worrying is how you live to be 114 years old.”
- Phyllis Ridgway – 113 years :- ‘Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey.’:- Put down your kale smoothies and quinoa salads, and listen to this: Canada’s Phyllis believes her longevity boils down to two ingredients only – “Apple cider vinegar and honey.”
- Louise Signore – 107 years:- “Don’t get Married”:- Say yes to daily exercise and enough sleep, and say no to soda, cakes, and husbands! “I never got married, I think that’s the secret,” said Louise Signore, from the US, in an interview in 2019, when asked about how she thinks she made it to 107.
- Lucia Declerck – 105 years :- ‘Gin-Soaked Raisins’:- The Hawaii native, and now New Jersey resident, was diagnosed with COVID on her 105th birthday on January 25, though she was largely asymptomatic. She credits her kick-butt immunity to nine gin-soaked golden raisins that she eats every morning. However, Lucia added that she does avoid junk food.
- Angelina Friedman – 102 years:- ‘An Iron Will to Live’:- This New York centenarian and cancer-survivor has beat COVID-19, not once, but twice! Her daughter Joanne Merola credits her recoveries to her “iron will to live” and the fact that “she is not human. She has super-human DNA.”
- Rose Heely – 100 years:- ‘A Cup of Tea with Whisky.’:- The British centenarian nicknamed “boomerang” — considering how she bounced back with COVID — has also suffered two heart attacks, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and whooping cough in the past. When asked how she made it through it all, she attributed “her strong composition” to a nightly cup of tea with whisky and a gingernut biscuit.
- Ramananda Teetha – 110 year old priest:- lived like a hermit in the Himalayas for decades before moving to an old age home in Hyderabad, where he contracted and recovered from COVID in June. Though he is one of the oldest Indians to beat the virus, he isn’t the only desi centenarian to do so. Maharashtra residents Dhenu Umaji Chavan and his wife Motabai, aged 105 and 95 respectively, were among those to survive the deadly illness.
LESSONS FROM REGIONS WITH HE HIGHEST LIFESPAN:-
Blue zones are parts of the world where people often live to live to their 90s and 100s. Their secret to their longevity is a strong sense of purpose, connection to loved ones, and a plant-heavy diet, besides movement.
OKINWA, JAPAN:-
They have the highest centenarian ratios in the world, thanks to their powerful network of friends, strong sense of purpose, and plant-based diet of stir-fried vegetables, sweet potatoes, and tofu.
SARDINA, ITALY:-
They live a traditional life of hunting, fishing, and harvesting, and have a strong sense of community.
ICARIA, GREECE:-
Their Mediterranean diet — low on red meat and high on vegetables, fruits, lentils, cheese and herbs — is said to be good for the heart and overall health. They also live a relaxed life, enjoy and live in a climate that allows them to enjoy the outdoor life.
