The Ancient Greeks’ Secret to a Long Life Wasn’t Really a Secret

Long Live Humans: Humanity’s undying quest for a longer lifespan dates back millennia. Many stories exist about the pursuit of the infamous Fountain of Youth, and in modern society, the rich and famous are always devising new ways to preserve their youth via biohacking — so much so that a new disorder, “longevity fixation syndrome” has been coined. But, based on what the ancient Greeks and Romans can tell us about those who lived longest, aging well is not that complicated.  

Secret of the Ancients: Per historical records, a Greek doctor called Galen observed some similarities among the people he knew to grow old: they ate simple diets of grains, meat, fish, oils, and honey; and they engaged in physical activity daily. A Greek essayist, Lucian, wrote, “On every soil and in every climate people who observe the proper exercise and the diet most suitable for health have been long-lived.”

Not So Secret: If you’re tired of hearing “eat healthier and exercise more,” well, buckle up. It seems the “secret” from ~150 C.E. is still the best advice. Of course, individual health is much more nuanced, but the basics remain the basics for a reason: they work.