101-year-old Chinese man's secret to long life includes things you'd least expect

A 101-year-old man's Coke habit and disciplined routine have drawn widespread attention online. His good health has fuelled debate over lifestyle, mood and individual differences in longevity.101-year-old Chinese man's secret to long life includes things you'd least expect (Photo: Representational Image from Pexels)At 101, Lu Shizeng has a routine that might surprise health-conscious youngsters: he enjoys generous amounts of Coca-Cola and Sprite, eats seafood regularly and follows a schedule that begins with an early bedtime. The centenarian from China’s Zhejiang province has now garnered online attention for his unconventional habits and seemingly robust health.According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Lu’s fondness for fizzy drinks sets him apart from the health-conscious lifestyle embraced by many younger people in China, where low-sugar diets and traditional wellness practices have become popular.Despite his age, Lu remains particular about what he eats. Living in the countryside, he travels to the local market in a rickshaw every five days to buy fresh seafood, including fish, shrimp and crabs, along with pork and vegetables. Until last year, he made the journey on his own tricycle. However, after suffering a fall, his family asked him to stop riding it.Lu spends a substantial part of his savings on food. His two sons, one based in Beijing and the other running a nearby factory, have arranged for a nanny to look after him. According to the caregiver, Lu has a healthy appetite and can finish half a bowl of rice alongside an entire plate of crabs in a single meal. His refrigerator is also stocked with carbonated drinks. While he enjoys both Coca-Cola and Sprite, he has a particular preference for chilled Sprite mixed with a few drops of white wine. Sweet fruits, including watermelon, pears and mandarins, are also among his favourites.Beyond his food preferences, Lu follows a fairly consistent daily routine. He finishes dinner by 5 pm and usually goes to sleep around 8 pm. He wakes up at approximately 4 am but spends another two hours stretching and relaxing in bed before getting up at 6 am. A midday nap is also part of his schedule. Lu takes pride in his health, saying that he has recovered well from his fall and remains mentally alert enough to recall memories from his younger years. He also noted that he rarely catches a cold and has relatively low blood pressure.The centenarian is satisfied with the monthly allowance he receives in recognition of his age. In Zhejiang province, people aged 100 and above receive 800 yuan (around US$120) per month, while those between 90 and 99 receive 100 yuan.His unusual combination of fizzy drinks, seafood and a disciplined sleep schedule has prompted plenty of speculation online about the secret to his longevity. One observer jokingly suggested that his ability to reach 101 while drinking Coke might leave some health experts unhappy.Another viewer credited his good mood and consistent sleep routine for his long life. A third argued that individual differences may play a much bigger role in longevity than any single lifestyle habit, pointing out that reaching such an advanced age remains rare.While Lu’s story has amused and intrigued social media users, his experience alone cannot establish that drinking sugary soft drinks contributes to a long life. Instead, his daily habits and continued good health have made him an unusual subject of online fascination.- Ends