Lu Shizeng, a 101-year-old from Zhejiang province, Eastern China, is captivating social media with his healthy and joyful life, despite habits often deemed unhealthy. This contrasts sharply with the growing trend among young Chinese towards wellness, including traditional medicine, low-sugar diets, and daily foot soaks. SCMP reported on 13/10/2023, highlighting how Lu defies conventional health wisdom by regularly indulging in carbonated soft drinks, which he always keeps well-stocked at home.
Lu’s culinary preferences include chilled soft drinks, often enhanced with a few drops of white liquor, and sweet fruits like watermelon, pear, and tangerine. His passion for food extends to seafood, which he prioritizes despite his rural setting. Every five days, he travels by rickshaw to the town market to purchase shrimp, fish, crab, pork, and various vegetables, dedicating a significant portion of his savings to these culinary delights.
Following a fall last year, Lu faces some mobility challenges and no longer drives. His two sons, one residing in Beijing and the other managing a nearby factory, have arranged for a caregiver to assist him. The caregiver notes Lu’s excellent appetite; he can easily finish half a bowl of rice and one plate of crab in one sitting. His daily routine is structured: an early dinner, going to bed early, and typically falling into a deep sleep around 8 PM. He wakes up at 4 AM, but enjoys a relaxed two hours of stretching and easing into his day before getting out of bed. A daily nap is also part of his regimen.
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Lu Shizeng in Zhejiang, China. Photo: Sohu |
Lu expresses great pride in his robust health. He often remarks that while many older individuals might suffer a stroke after a fall, he remains completely healthy. He retains vivid memories of his youth, stating that he rarely catches colds and consistently maintains relatively low blood pressure.
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The amount of soft drinks Lu stores at home. Photo: Sohu |
His unique lifestyle has sparked numerous comments online. One social media user humorously remarked, "Living to 101 and still drinking carbonated soft drinks, some nutritionists won't be happy to hear this". Another user emphasized the importance of his disposition, writing, "A happy spirit and regular sleep habits are the most important factors for his longevity". While Chinese health experts have not officially commented on Lu’s case, some online observers speculate that individuals like Lu might be "born with such qualities", suggesting that lifestyle factors play a secondary role in their exceptional longevity.
Ngoc Anh (According to Star, SCMP)
