When you're watching The Today Show and Al Roker starts sending out birthday greetings to all the centenarians out there, you're always tempted to call those folks up and ask how they made it to 100. Are they masters of meditation? Did they find Ponce de Leon's famous Fountain? Or does it simply come down to luck and good genes?

Well, we can't speak for them, but we tracked down a few great ways to keep you on your feet well into the twilight years. If you want to blow out 100 candles one day, here are five ways to get to the party.

1.    Eat meat. Vegetarians don't have the edge, it seems – beef contains plenty of immunity-boosters and vitamins that will keep that spring in your step for years to come. So skip the salad and order a steak.

2.    Stay away from smoky bars. Even if you don't smoke, it's true what they say about second-hand smoke – even an hour and a half of exposure a week is known to increase your risk of heart disease by 26 percent.

3.    Make time for tea. Green, Earl Grey, chamomile, take your pick – the flavor doesn't matter. All teas contain flavonoids, which relax blood vessels and thin the blood, reducing your risk of heart disease.

4.    Spend more time at the water cooler. By making friends at work, you can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure – a major bonus during stressful situations that might otherwise cause a stroke or heart attack.

5.    Fall in love. When you've got someone special in your life, your body's happy, too: In a study, scientists found that happily married men had healthier hearts than their bachelor brothers.

Read the whole story. (Men's Health)


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