A survey of Cuban centenarians published Wednesday found that abstaining from heavy drinking, while enjoying coffee, cigars, and an active interest in sex, may help explain their exceptional longevity.
Cuba, with roughly 11.2 million residents, is home to approximately 3,000 people aged 100 or older. Professor Nancy Nepomucemo studied 54 centenarians in Santa Clara province, which records the country's highest average age, and presented findings to a National Geriatrics and Social Work workshop.
The subjects led disciplined but not spartan lives. None was an alcoholic, and most remained mentally sharp while performing manual labor in rural settings. Some 60 percent reported that their own parents had also lived unusually long lives.
Diet appeared to play a role as well: 95 percent consumed fish, eggs, milk, poultry, vegetables, and manioc, prepared with minimal salt and natural seasonings.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.