Scientists discover exact age bad habits like smoking and drinking causes serious health problems
We've all got our vices - whether that be drinking, smoking, or anything in between.
And when you've got youth on your side, the consequences of these bad habits rarely cross your mind - as at the end of the day, it's future you's problem. But according to new research, the ramifications of late nights, lazy days with no exercise and choosing unhealthy options can come back to bite you sooner than you think.
Boffins at Finland's Laurea University of Applied Sciences conducted a study which found that those who throw caution to the wind in their younger years often end up paying the price with their health.
Experts tracked the health of hundreds of children who were born in 1959 up until they turned 61, in the hopes of finding out how lifestyle choices can impact your quality of life and lifespan.
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The participants had health checks conducted on them at the ages of 27, 36, 42, 50 and 61, while they also underwent full medical exams each year after turning 42.
After compiling all of this health data up until 2020, the researchers found some interesting results among those who had consistently smoked, boozed and didn't really bother exercising.
It emerged that those who had engaged in these unhealthy habits in their heyday were more susceptible to both physical and mental health struggles by their mid-30s.
Scientists even claim to have discovered the exact age it all starts going downhill... 36.
To put that into a bit of context for you, the likes of Adele, Lizzo, A$AP Rocky and Rupert Grint are all this age - so I guess we best keep an eye out on them lot from now on.
According to the study, there was a greater risk of hitting this health slump at 36 for those who had indulged in unhealthy habits over longer periods of time.
Essentially, the more vices that a participant had and the longer they continued to use them, the greater the impact on their health.
Dr Tiia Kekäläinen, the study's lead author, said: "Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviours as early as possible to prevent damage from building up over the years.
"Bad habits in youth culminate in poor mental and physical health later in later life. Heart disease and cancer cause almost three-quarters of deaths worldwide.
"But by following a healthy lifestyle, an individual can cut their risk of developing these illnesses and reduce their odds of an early death," Dr Kekäläinen explained.
"It is never too late to change to healthier habits. Adopting healthier habits in midlife also has benefits for older age."
It seems the overwhelming message here is quit while your ahead, folks.
Faltering physical health was linked to exercising less than once a week, while those who smoked were more susceptible to suffering poor mental health, while alcohol led to a decline in both of these.
Dr Kekäläinen said that the results show that 'preventing these behaviours early in adulthood and midlife is crucial to avoid their accumulation and subsequent health risks'.
However, she insists it's never too late to turn things around - especially if you are still under the age of 36.
So if you needed a sign to stop smoking like a chimney, drinking like a fish and lounging around like a couch potato, this might be it.
Olivia Burke