5 Habits to Avoid If You Want to Age Well
These factors can cause harm and lead to premature aging
To have the best chance at a long, healthy life, most researchers say you should exercise frequently, eat well, sleep sufficiently, and have strong social connections with others. But there are also certain harmful behaviors that you should avoid because they increase risks for disease and premature aging.
Smoking
This habit dramatically increases the likelihood of lung cancer, is a major cause of heart disease, and is associated with a 30 to 40 percent higher risk of dementia. (See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s How to Quit Smoking page for tips on kicking the habit.)
Alcohol
Light drinking was once considered healthy, but data now suggest that “any alcohol increases risk for cancer and other diseases,” says Jean-Pierre Raufman, MD, chief of gastroenterology at the University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore. Drinking also has a significant negative impact on memory, and some preliminary research suggests that alcohol may even speed up the aging process. (See CR’s advice on cutting back.)
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the September 2023 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
