What’s the Secret to Living a Century?
Reaching 100 years old is no small achievement, and it turns out there’s a lot to learn from these remarkable individuals.
Recent research on centenarians — those folks who are actually in their triple digits — shows they face far fewer health problems, don’t develop diseases as quickly, and, interestingly, have a lower likelihood of encountering life-threatening conditions relative to those who live shorter lives.
A striking study from Sweden, published in GeroScience, examined historical data from people over 60 who were born between 1912 and 1922.
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Researchers analyzed these participants from 1972 through 2022, tracking not just when they passed away, but also various medical issues they faced, such as strokes, heart attacks, hip fractures, and other cancers.
What’s fascinating is that centenarians show a significantly lower lifetime risk for almost all major health problems, aside from hip fractures, implying that they’re not just surviving chronic diseases — they’re often dodging them altogether.
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This evidence pushes back against the old belief that living longer automatically means facing a mountain of health problems, as stated by the researchers.
A follow-up study in August 2025, carried out by the same team and published in The Lancet, dug deeper into how older individuals generally pile up health issues over their lifetime instead of sidestepping them.
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The team traced health patterns of individuals born between 1920 and 1922, contrasting the disease progression in centenarians against those with shorter life spans.
The results showed that those aged 100 and up typically reported fewer diagnosed health issues and acquired new conditions at a much slower rate.
The findings revealed cardiovascular diseases as the most prevalent among all ages, but these issues were less of a burden for those who reached a century. Strange but true!
Interestingly, while they did have more cancer diagnoses, centenarians appeared to struggle less with neuropsychiatric issues like anxiety and dementia.
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In addition, those over 100 were found to have fewer simultaneous health issues and were likely to deal with conditions confined to one disease group.
“We need future studies to explore the genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that contribute to these patterns. This could shape preventive strategies for longevity and resilience from a young age,” the researchers emphasized.
Dr. Macie P. Smith, a gerontologist from South Carolina, shared her insights, explaining that it’s hardly surprising that those who avoid severe health threats such as strokes and heart diseases live beyond 100.
These centenarians are often labeled “traditionalists”; they usually steer clear of harmful things like radiation and synthetic additives in their food, which according to Smith, have been linked to numerous health issues.
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“They also had minimal exposure to modern medicines, pretty much sticking to natural remedies and wholesome foods,” she added.
With modern technology and global interactions absent from the lives of centenarians, Smith notes this could mean they also faced less stress, contributing positively to their mental health.
“They really had the privilege of ‘minding their own business,’ which led to lower stress levels. Stress is often compounded when we involve ourselves in the affairs of others, leading to vicarious trauma,” she explained.
Smith also highlighted the more liberated attitudes of the older generation.
“Think about it: they didn’t abide by the strict societal expectations we have today about how to act in public or look a certain way. Back then, there was much less criticism and scrutiny going around,” she mentioned.
“Yes, they encountered their battles that are less visible today; however, it’s just that they handled them differently,” Smith added.
As Smith stated, choices made in younger years drastically influence one’s quality of life in later years, whether it’s living independently or remaining dependent on others.
Picking a healthier lifestyle early on can greatly lower future health risks, influencing how long you might live.
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Smith advocates for a diet low in fat and salt, packed with brain-healthy foods while avoiding processed items, suggesting that people should manage stress well, actively engage with friends and family, keep moving, and aim for restful sleep.
“These steps will promote longevity while also enhancing life quality,” she concluded.
Original article can be found at:Secrets of Centenarians: What Keeps Them Thriving at 100
