Most people are lucky to live to be 100, but two women outlived that, joining the ranks of the world’s oldest people – and both are from France.
Jeanne Calment is believed to be the world’s oldest person on record, having walked the earth for 122 years. And recently, a French nun named Sister André was the oldest person in the world until January 17, when she died at the age of 118.
It is difficult to determine what exactly helps people live beyond the age of 100, considering the differences in the behavior of supercentenarians, said Jean-Marie Robine, a demographer who studies the relationship between health and longevity.
But there are certain factors that may give France the upper hand in terms of longevity, said Robine, who is also director of research at the Institut National De La Sante et de La Recherche Medicale (INSERM) in France.
Here are some reasons why people from Hexagon tend to have several years of bonus.
Why the French tend to live longer than citizens of other countries
1. Free education
“The most educated people have a longer life expectancy,” Robine said. “He values longevity more [and] more healthy. They have better knowledge of what to do [and] what not to do if you want to stay healthy.”
People who have gained more education also have a better understanding of what foods to eat for longevity and what exercise to include in their daily lives to increase their health, according to Robine.
2. Access to free healthcare
The countries with the highest life expectancy, including France, Japan and Denmark, all offer free healthcare.
“And this is an important difference,” said Robine, when comparing life expectancy in different countries, “and here we lose countries like England, the Netherlands and the United States.”
3. Better dietary choices
Residents of Southern France, where Jeanne Calment and Sister André were born, followed a Mediterranean diet, Robine said. The Mediterranean diet prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood and healthy fats – while limiting, or eliminating, consumption of red meat, dairy and sweets.
If you compare Northern France with Southern France, there is a difference of two years in life expectancy, which is possible partly due to diet. The weather is also an important factor, as winters and summers in the south of France are less harsh than in the north, he added.
Regarding diets in other countries, Robine says, “people eat them too [much] fat and salt.”
Register now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter
don’t miss:
