It is tempting to think that having a balanced diet and physical activity do not contribute to our well-being. Although there are other factors that might determine one’s longevity, it is wrong to assume that our everyday behavior does not play a role in this. Not only do these habits reduce the risk of major chronic diseases, but they also allow people to remain healthier as they age.
Diet matters because it provides essential nutrients. A balanced diet dominated by enough calories, healthy fats, carbs, and a useful source of protein, is not only necessary for our health, but also helps us avoid excessive amounts of salt, free sugars, and chemicals. This allows us to maintain a healthy body weight and reduces our exposure to several major risk factors for chronic diseases. By contrast, when people have unhealthy eating habits, they are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases and have problems with unhealthy weight gain.
Physical movement is also essential since healthy diet alone cannot compensate for sedentary lifestyle. A person who eats well, but does not exercise might still be exposed to preventable health risks. Daily movement helps us stay in shape and prevent the likelihood of cardiovascular issues and chronic diseases, such as obesity. Training does not have to be extreme or intensive to be useful, simple exercises such as biking, walking, and running are usually enough. These activities are not only useful for our physical well-being, but can also be beneficial for our mental health, allowing us to socialize more, to make new friends, and escape our daily worries and responsibilities for some time.
Although I acknowledge that other factors, such as genetics and our financial situation, have a significant impact as well – by influencing whether we experience certain illnesses throughout our life or not, or by allowing us to afford a good medical treatment and healthcare – these factors do not undermine the importance of our daily choices. While these choices do not guarantee us a long and healthy life, they noticeably affect its likelihood.
In conclusion, while it is argued that daily habits, such as eating healthy and exercising are not important for longevity, I think they definitely are. These habits not only determine how long we live, but also the quality of our life.