To Cheat Death, Eat Less

Call it the Refrigerator of Youth: Eating less could add nearly 5 years to your lifespan, LiveScience reports. Even scholars dismissive of anti-aging hype concede that a more moderate eating approach could bear fruit. "There is plenty of evidence that calorie restriction can reduce your risks for many common diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease," one researcher says.

Consider skipping dessert: One scientist estimates eating 15% less at age 25 could add almost 4½ years. Such projections, however, are primarily based on studies of animals, and scholars agree more research is needed to determine if the findings apply to humans. Studies show that slashing calories by 20-40% extends an animal’s lifespan and overall health. (More elderly stories.)