Living longer is something a lot of us want to achieve and the key to doing this may be easier than you think.
Eating healthily and exercising often may both increase your lifespan.
Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol regularly are also ways that could increase the number of years you live for.
Currently in the UK, women live almost four years longer than men at 82.9 years from birth, while men live only 79.2 years.
These five foods could increase your life expectancy.
Coffee
Drinking more coffee could increase your lifespan, but scientists aren’t sure why.
A study published last year found that drinking around three cups of coffee a day could lower your risk of death from “any cause”.
However, the researchers cautioned that “we are not at the stage of recommending people drink more or less coffee.”
Reasons for this included the possibility that coffee drinkers lead a healthier life, or are better at controlling blood sugar.
Fish
Although the smell may not be appreciated by friends, eating this marine meat could help you live longer.
Fish is high in protein, omega 3 fats, low in saturated fat and packed with a wide range of nutrients, which could help extend your life.
More plant protein
It may sound crazy, but eating more lentils, quinoa and peanut butter, among others, may increase your life span.
This is because they contain all nine essential amino acids, that your body can’t produce independently.
A study published last year in journal JAMA Internal medicine showed that while eating lots of meat was associated with an increased risk of heart disease, eating more protein found in plants reduced your risk of heart disease.
Chilli Peppers
These could also increase your lifespan, although the link is not yet scientifically established.
A study last year looking at hot red chile consumption in 16,179 people found that those who did not consume chilli died earlier than those that did eat the hot stuff.
“Consumption of hot red chilli peppers was associated with a 13 per cent reduction in the instantaneous hazard of death,” said the study.
Dark chocolate
It may feel like a guilty pleasure, but studies have also suggested that dark chocolate could increase your life expectancy.
Healthline suggests the snack for combating your risk of heart disease.
It mentioned a study on 470 elderly men, which found cocoa reduced the risk of a heart attack by 50 per cent over a 15 year period.
It said that this result had been replicated in several other studies.
Other foods that could improve your lifespan include almonds, fermented milk and pomegranates.
