Eating Meat Can Help You Reach 100 Years, Study Finds
Vocabulary
a person who is 100 years old or older
Japan is home to the highest number of centenarians in the world.
the desire to eat food
I usually lose my appetite when I’m stressed or busy at work.
a break or crack in a bone
He missed the rest of the season after suffering a fracture in his wrist.
physically weak, often because of age or illness
Even though she looks old and frail, she is still mentally sharp and alert.
extremely important or completely necessary
A reliable internet connection is essential for working from home.
a substance that helps living things grow and stay healthy
Plants compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
having firm rules that must be followed
The teacher is very strict about using phones in class.
Article
Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.
Eating Meat Can Help You Reach 100 Years, Study Finds Do you have a grandpa or grandma who's lived to 100? What do you think helped them reach such an amazing age — good genes, good luck, or maybe the food they ate every day?
A new study suggests that very old adults who eat some meat might have a better chance of reaching the age of 100 than people who avoid meat completely.
The research, led by Dr. Xiang Gao and his team at Fudan University in China, followed more than 5,000 Chinese adults aged 80 and older for about 20 years. By the end of the study, people who completely avoided meat were slightly less likely to become centenarians.
At first, this seems to go against everything we usually hear about vegetarian diets.
So, what explains the difference?
The answer is aging. When people reach their 80s and 90s, their bodies change quickly. Appetite often becomes smaller, muscles weaken, and bones lose strength. At this stage of life, the biggest danger isn’t overeating — it’s not getting enough nutrition, as older adults need enough protein, vitamins, and minerals to stay strong.
Studies show that older adults who don’t get enough protein or calcium may be more likely to suffer fractures and become frail.
Here’s the key detail: the lower survival rate only appeared in people who were underweight. Older adults with healthy body weight lived just as long, diet type made no difference.
Interestingly, older adults who ate fish, eggs, or dairy — even without meat — lived just as long as meat eaters. These foods provide protein, vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D, all essential for muscle and bone health.
The message is simple: living a long, healthy life isn’t about following strict food rules — it’s about making sure our body gets the nutrients it really needs.
Discussion
Have a discussion based on the following questions.
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What are your thoughts on the study's findings?
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Were you surprised that eating some meat was linked to living longer?
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How often do you eat meat in a typical week?
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Where do you get most of your advice about healthy eating and nutrition?
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Do you know any centenarians? What's their diet like?
Further Discussion
Have a discussion based on the following questions.
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Would you like to live to be 100 years old?
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In your opinion, what's the key to a long and healthy life?
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What do you imagine are the biggest challenges people face when trying to eat healthily today?
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Are any of your friends and family vegan or vegetarian?
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Have you made any changes to your diet recently?