The broadcaster revealed the one change he has made that he credits with helping him live a long life
At the grand age of 98, Sir David Attenborough isn’t showing any signs of stopping. His latest season of the much-loved Planet Earth series has audiences mesmerised, but it’s his extraordinary energy that’s really got people talking.
The beloved biologist has expressed his desire to make it to 100 years old and he credits some of his enduring health and vigour to changes in his diet. While not strictly vegetarian, Sir David has significantly reduced his red meat intake, a move he feels could be contributing to his longevity.
Back in 2017, Attenborough shared insights into his eating habits. He said: “I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don’t think I’ve eaten red meat for months.”
He also admitted: “I do eat cheese, I have to say, and I eat fish. But by and large, I’ve become much more vegetarian over the past few years than I thought I would ever be.”
Studies have consistently shown that plant-based diets can help extend life by staving off chronic diseases. They also reduce one’s carbon footprint – a matter very dear to the environmentalist, reports the Express.
Red meat includes beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison and goat. Eating too much processed meat and red meat probably increases your risk of bowel (colorectal) cancer, according to the NHS.
Some meats are high in saturated fat, which can raise blood cholesterol levels if you eat too much of it. Having high cholesterol raises your risk of coronary heart disease.
Despite maintaining a healthy diet and staying mentally sharp, Attenborough confessed to Anderson Cooper in a 2021 interview that he fears cognitive decline as he gets older, with the prospect of becoming “helpless” due to a condition like Alzheimer’s being among his greatest concerns
He also confided to the Telegraph about his concerns regarding ageing, saying he is “coming to terms” with the possibility of memory loss as he grows older. Nevertheless, Attenborough remains a force to be reckoned with, continuing to lend his iconic voice to BBC wildlife documentaries despite advancing years.
