Truth behind David Attenborough's major health choices that 'help you live longer'

99-year-old David Attenborough, who is set to reach an incredible milestone next year, has previously lifted the lid on his diet and health habits.

While the beloved broadcaster and historian has put much of his longevity down to chance, Attenborough has shared a handful of lifestyle habits in the past that align with the people who live in the world’s blue zones.

The five blue zones - regions known for high numbers of centenarians - are Loma Linda in California, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia and Icaria in Italy and Greece.

Typically, the blue zone diet involves a predominantly plant-based diet, limiting red meat consumption and avoiding dairy.

Attenborough, however, doesn't hold back on the cheese, as he tries to keep as much balance in his diet as possible.

Legendary broadcaster David Attenborough is set to turn 100 next year (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

David Attenborough's centenarian diet

"I have certainly changed my diet," he admitted to Good Housekeeping in 2020. "Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don't think I've eaten red meat for months.

"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."

And in 2019, he added to The Sun: “I haven’t been a doctrinaire vegetarian or vegan, but I no longer have the same appetite for meat.

“Why? I’m not sure. I think subconsciously maybe it’s because of the state of the planet.”

Attenborough became the oldest Daytime Emmy winner at 99 (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Why centenarians don't eat red meat

Recent studies are highlighting the potential increased risk of bowel cancer from high red meat consumption

Dr James Kinross, a consultant colorectal surgeon at King Edward VII’s Hospital, told LADbible that 'red meat has a particular amino acid that's broken down by the body in the liver, and that causes some of the harmful effects'.

'There's a particular metabolite which we think causes the harm'.

"If you're going to have red meat, you want to have high quality red meat. And it should be a once a week thing. It's a treat," he suggested.

A good diet has been linked to longevity (Getty Stock Images)

"If you can just replace one portion of red meat with some white fish or chicken, you will significantly reduce your risk of bowel cancer.

"You don't need to be vegan to have a healthy gut. That's definitely not true, but what you shouldn't be doing is having meat with every single meal."

But when it comes to Attenborough, an expert has explained that his long life is less down to food and more down to genetics.

Andrew Steele, author of Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old, told inews: “With most people, there isn’t a large genetic component that determines life expectancy, but when you get to these amazing older ages like David Attenborough and the Queen, this genetic factor increases.

“So people who either have parents or siblings who make it to 100 are about 10 times more likely than the general population to make it themselves.

“These good genes basically control how our brains age, our frailties and even cosmetic stuff like wrinkles and grey hair. But we can also help ourselves through sleep, exercise and even brushing our teeth twice a day.”