HEALTHY LIVING

The downside of painkillers, what’s really in your water bottle and how to live long and prosper, just as Mr Spock told us to.

SAGE AGEING

When King George V started the tradition of sending letters to British citizens on their 100th birthdays just over a century ago, he sent out just nine. Last year, the queen sent out over 16 000. It’s not just the UK that has an ageing population – we do, too: according to Stats SA, in 2017, 8.1% (nearly 5 million) South Africans were over 60, and the percentage is growing.

Here are five things to start doing that will make living longer a joy rather than a life sentence:

Stop smoking: it’s hands down the biggest, best thing you can do for your long-term health. Start weight-bearing exercise: walking is excellent, but to keep your bones strong you need to lift weights regularly too. Drinkloadsofwater: not only great for your digestion, it’s good for your brain too. Stay connected to loved ones: strong social connections are the biggest predictor of a happy, healthy old age.

Eat more fat: omega-3 fatty acids keep your bones strong, reduce inflammation and help to stabilise mood swings.

PAIN ISN’T ALL YOUR PAINKILLER IS KILLING

New research seems to indicate that painkillers not only dull pain but also emotions – in women, at least. The University of California, Santa Barbara reports that women in their study who had taken painkillers said they felt ‘less hurt’ when they were put in a position that they would ordinarily have found uncomfortable, like being excluded from a team activity.

Weirdly, men reported feeling the exact opposite. Perhaps most alarming is that the women also showed less empathy for others… definitely worth further investigation, said the study.

SUPER SUB

If someone in your family is vegan or vegetarian, gelatin is off the menu. Try agar-agar instead: it’s made from algae and can pretty much be subbed 1:1 for gelatin. It’s also a great thickener to add to veggie curries or tagines this winter.