Living well: the habits that matter most

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1. 1

   Lifestyle, socioeconomic, and biological determinants of survival in nonagenarians and centenarians: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

   The Gerontologist (Caballero et al.)Published Jun 1, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Random effects meta-analyses via the empirical Bayes method generated pooled hazard ratios (HRs). Meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsTwenty-three studies were included. Being a woman (HR = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-0.86), having normal cognition (HR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.40-0.76), having activities of daily living (ADL) independence (HR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.63-0.76), having high handgrip strength (HR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-0.99), not smoking (HR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74-0.93), and alcohol abstinence (HR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78-0.99) were associated with lower mortality. Education level was not significantly associated with survival. Meta-regression revealed no modifying effect of age or follow-up length. Multivariate meta-analysis confirmed the independent contribution of each factor and ranked ADLs (p Discussion and implicationsSurvival in the oldest-old is closely linked to female sex, preserved cognitive and physical function, and healthy lifestyle choices. The consistent predictive value of ADLs, cognition, and handgrip strength highlights the relevance of modifiable factors for promoting longevity, even in advanced age.”

2. 2

   Evidence-based interventions for promoting healthy aging: a scoping review.

   The journal of nutrition, health & aging (González-Ballesteros et al.)Published Apr 3, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “ity (physical and mental health) and environmental factors across the life course, emphasizing function rather than disease absence.ObjectivesThis scoping review synthesized scientific evidence on interventions that promote healthy ageing across the life course, following the Joanna Briggs Institute PCC framework.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scielo, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and LILACS without language or date restrictions. From 5,808 records, 219 studies met the inclusion criteria, including systematic reviews, clinical trials, quasi-experimental, and observational studies.ResultsMost interventions focused on physical and mental health in adult and older populations. Multicomponent physical activity, nutritional, and cognitive interventions showed consistent benefits for functional ability and wellbeing, while evidence on life-course, environmental, and policy-level interventions remained limited.ConclusionsIntegrative, multicomponent, and culturally adapted interventions are most effective for promoting healthy ageing. Future research should adopt life-course approaches and prioritize long-term, well-powered studies to inform equitable ageing policies.”

3. 3

   Epigenetic Age Acceleration as a Modifiable Public Health Target: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Environmental, Behavioral, and Social Determinants with Development of the MEAB-Index.

   International journal of molecular sciences (Aliberti et al.)Published Jun 2, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “In the primary analysis (Pool A, n = 60), adverse modifiable exposures were associated with accelerated EAA (pooled β = +0.310 years per unit exposure, 95% CI 0.255-0.366). The strongest associations were observed for metabolic and inflammatory markers (β = +0.913) and environmental exposures (β = +0.466). The MEAB-Index yielded a Cumulative Preventable Burden of +1.566 years (bootstrap 95% CI 1.011-2.123). Findings were robust across sensitivity analyses and remained directionally consistent in secondary pools (B-D). This study provides the most comprehensive quantitative synthesis to date on the modifiability of epigenetic aging. Our findings demonstrate that EAA is meaningfully shaped by behavioral, environmental, and social determinants. The MEAB-Index introduces a novel framework for estimating the preventable burden of biological aging and for prioritizing interventions. Reducing key modifiable risk factors, particularly metabolic/inflammatory and environmental exposures, could substantially slow biological aging at the population level and support the transition toward ageing-centered preventive strategies.”

4. 4

   The association of a combined healthy lifestyle with the risk of cancer among older adults: a prospective large population-based cohort study.

   BMC public health (Sun et al.)Published Jun 18, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “A healthy lifestyle score was constructed based on five factors assessed at baseline: smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to compute hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), thereby assessing how the combined lifestyle metric influenced the risk of developing cancer.ResultsAmong 109,018 older adults enrolled between 2017 and 2025, throughout a mean follow-up period of 7.34 years, 2,115 incident cancers were documented. A significant inverse dose-response relationship was observed between the healthy lifestyle score and cancer risk (p for trend 70 years. Notably, this protective association was substantially stronger among adults aged over 70 years compared to those aged 60-70 years.ConclusionEmbracing favorable lifestyle habits was associated with lower cancer susceptibility. This study emphasizes that heightened awareness is required among elderly Chinese populations regarding the potential benefits of healthy habits in cancer prevention.”

5. 5

   Mediterranean lifestyle and risk of adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

   EClinicalMedicine (Aznar et al.)Published Aug 7, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Higher adherence to the MEDLIFE was associated with stepwise decreases in MACE risk, all-cause and CVD mortality. Compared to participants in the lowest MEDLIFE quartile, the HR (95% CI) for those in the highest quartile was 0.73 (0.59-0.91) for MACE, 0.74 (0.58-0.93) for all-cause mortality, and 0.49 (0.30-0.81) for CVD mortality (all p-trend InterpretationHigher adherence to the MEDLIFE was associated with significantly lower risks of MACE, all-cause and CVD mortality among British individuals with type 2 diabetes. Our findings support the MEDLIFE as a promising and accessible tool for type 2 diabetes management.FundingThis work was supported by the Carlos III Health Institute, the Secretary of R+D+I; the European Regional Development Fund/European Social Fund (FIS grants 22/1111; 23/00079); National Agency of Research (CNS2022-135623); Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes (FPU contract to MDCAR).”

6. 6

   Anti-inflammatory diet, physical activity, and risk of all-cause mortality in older adults: a prospective cohort study.

   Frontiers in immunology (Sun et al.)Published Aug 19, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Anti-inflammatory diet was assessed using the anti-inflammatory diet index (AIDI), which was derived from data collected via a simplified food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 7 years, 4,117 deaths occurred. After multivariable adjustment, compared with participants in the lowest tertile of the AIDI, those in the highest tertile had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.85; 95%CI: 0.77-0.94). Each one standard deviation increase in the AIDI was associated with a 8% lower risk of mortality. Joint analyses further showed that a high AIDI combined with regular exercise, or with high leisure activity, was associated with a significantly lower mortality risk.ConclusionsAdherence to an anti-inflammatory diet was associated with reduced mortality risk in Chinese older adults. The findings underscore the value of integrating both dietary and physical activity strategies to promote healthy longevity.”

7. 7

   Social isolation and loneliness and mortality among cancer survivors: a prospective cohort study.

   Frontiers in oncology (Ran et al.)Published Sep 9, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “Outcomes included all-cause, cancer-specific, and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. Associations were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA total of 32,524 participants were included in this study (60.2% women; mean age, 60.3 years). During a median 15.7-year follow-up, 5,945 deaths occurred. Social isolation was significantly associated with increased all-cause (HR, 1.22; 95%CI, 1.12-1.32), cancer-specific (HR, 1.16; 95%CI, 1.04-1.28), and CVD-related (HR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.07-1.63) mortality. Loneliness was not associated with all-cause mortality (HR, 0.98; 95%CI, 0.93-1.04), but independently associated with increased CVD-related mortality (HR, 1.26; 95%CI, 1.08-1.47). Exploratory analyses identified distinct prognostic impacts of specific isolation measures: living alone was linked to higher all-cause and non-cancer mortality across most cancer types, while weekly social activities and monthly family/friends visits were protective.ConclusionsSocial isolation was associated with increased risks of all-cause, cancer-specific, and CVD-related mortality. Loneliness was associated with elevated CVD-related mortality.”

8. 8

   Association of the Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity and Related Lifestyle Factors on the Mortality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

   Nutrients (Mo et al.)Published Aug 7, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

   “The 40 reports represented 34 data sources and at least 260,354 unique patients, comprising six randomized trials, 30 observational reports, and four comparative nonrandomized studies. In one randomized comparison of Mediterranean and low-fat diets, the HR for MACE was 0.72 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.96; moderate certainty). Observational findings supported inverse associations of closer dietary adherence with all-cause mortality (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.90; I2 = 44%) and MACE, whereas cardiovascular mortality remained uncertain. HRs for maintained or continued physical activity relative to persistent inactivity were 0.64 for all-cause mortality (95% CI 0.55 to 0.74; I2 = 29%) and 0.42 for cardiovascular mortality (95% CI 0.28 to 0.64; I2 = 72%). MACE findings for diet adherence and habitual physical activity generally favored lower risk. Randomized evidence on exercise or combined dietary and activity programs was sparse. Greater Mediterranean diet adherence and habitual physical activity were associated with more favorable CHD outcomes. Standardized, adequately powered trials are needed, especially for exercise and combined strategies.”

9. 9

   How Gut Microbiota Influence Healthy Aging: Overview of Reviews.

   Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) (Todmal et al.)Published Aug 17, 2026Checked Sep 30, 2026

   “Mediterranean and plant-based diets, calorie restriction, and microbiota-targeted approaches such as probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation were associated with increases in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia muciniphila, while reducing pro-inflammatory taxa. These changes were linked to improved metabolic and immune function, reduced inflammaging, lower frailty, and greater physical resilience. Cognitive benefits included decreased neuroinflammation and a lower risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Maintaining microbial balance through targeted dietary strategies may support healthier, more resilient aging, offering practical insights for public health and clinical nutrition planning.”

10. 10

    The Role of Humor and Self-Care in Longevity: A Systematic Review of Psychological and Behavioral Health Literature.

    Cureus (Toti et al.)Published Jan 19, 2026Checked Oct 4, 2026

    “After screening 742 records in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Across the included studies, humor was consistently associated with reduced psychological stress, improved psychological well-being, enhanced immune and cardiovascular markers, and, in some longitudinal cohorts, lower mortality risk. Self-care practices, including mindfulness, physical activity, adequate sleep, and social engagement, were associated with reduced allostatic load, greater psychological resilience, and better functional and cardiometabolic health. These psychological elements may work in concert to promote healthy aging trajectories by acting as protective barriers against long-term stress and age-related decline. This review emphasizes the promise of self-care and humor as accessible, low-cost strategies for improving well-being and supporting healthy aging; however, further longitudinal and experimental research is required to establish causality and clarify underlying biological and psychological mechanisms.”