China's 'Longevity City' Has 255 Centenarians: City Bureau Stats

With 255 of its citizens crossing the 100-years mark, little wonder the Chinese city of Rugao is renowned for the longevity of its centenarian residents.

The city, which is located in east China's Jiangsu Province, has a population of 1.45 million with more than 4,000 people above 90 years old and 40,000 above 80, according to the statistics.

Offspring of Centenarians Have Long Lifespans too
Centenarian offspring - kids of parents who lived to be at least 97 years old - live longer, have lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes as compared to a similarly-aged cohort,

The average life expectancy of this city is 75.59-4.59 and 9.59 higher than that of China and world average respectively.

Rugao is the only city, which lies in a low-lying and economically developed region among China's six 'longevity cities'.

Regular and healthy eating and sleeping habits and a favourable environment are believed to be the reasons for the people living long in Rugao.

Over 230,000 Listed Centenarians Cannot be Found in Japan
Japanese officials have confirmed that more than 230,000 people listed as alive and at least 100 years old in Japan cannot be found, including 884 who would be 150 or older.

A study by the Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Geological Survey showed that per kilogram of soil contained an average of 3.3 milligrams of iodine, 57.3 milligrams of zinc and 0.047 milligrams of selenium, generally higher than other regions, The Xinhua reports.

Experts here said selenium plays an important role in preventing humans from getting cancer, zinc is a key element in protein, while iodine is essential in forming the thyroid hormone.

Hunt on for Missing 'Centenarians' in Japan
A frantic search is on in Japan for other listed centenarians following the discovery of the mummified remains of a man supposedly aged 111.

A report released by the World Health Organization said that by 2009, the average life expectancy in China was 73.05 years, up from 71.4 years in 2000 and 72 in 2006.

Source-ANI

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