David Attenborough's Three Tips For a Long, Healthy Life
- May 15
- 2 min read
The ever-youthful Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this month at a star-studded event in London. What does he attribute his longevity to?
His eight-decade-long career as a broadcaster and natural historian has enabled him to travel the world, immerse himself in nature, and inspire generations of people around the globe to think more carefully about our impact on the planet - perhaps more so than any other person.
However, his passion for conservation isn’t the only thing that’s kept him healthy and motivated. According to the centenarian himself, one of the secrets to longevity is also following a mostly plant-based diet.
“I have certainly changed my diet,” Attenborough told Men's Health a decade ago. “Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don’t think I’ve eaten red meat for months.” This, of course, aligns with what numerous scientists and medical experts recommend too. In an episode of Planet Earth III, he spoke about the environmental impact of animal agriculture and encouraged people to adopt a more plant-based way of eating. During the episode he noted: “If we shift away from eating meat and dairy and move towards a plant-based diet, then the sun’s energy goes directly into growing our food. And because that’s so much more efficient, we could still produce enough to feed us, but do so using a quarter of the land.”
Attenborough also credits his longevity to staying physically active and spending time in nature - two more habits that are also widely supported by scientific research.
For his 100th birthday, demonstrating the affection he holds in the hearts of the British nation, King Charles (who also shares Attenborough's passion for nature) even went so far as to create a special celebratory video for Attenborough. If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth viewing as it is wonderful...
