How to live longer: the 70p herb shown to increase life expectancy

Life expectancy cannot be predicted with absolute certainty but informed predictions can be made based on your overall lifestyle. That's because the leading causes of death in the world

are mostly attributed to unhealthy lifestyle habits. The most obvious being heart disease, which is directly caused by eating an unhealthy diet. In one study, sage leaf extract lowered

blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity with comparable results to rosiglitazone, another anti-diabetes drug. Another study in mice with type 2 diabetes found that sage tea acts like

metformin — a drug prescribed to manage blood sugar in people with the same disease. What's more, it may boost memory and brain health, factors that may reduce the risk of developing

Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain condition. In one study, 39 participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease consumed either 60 drops (2 ml) of a sage extract supplement

or a placebo daily for four months. Those taking the sage extract performed better on tests that measured memory, problem-solving, reasoning and other cognitive abilities The benefits are

partly attributed to the compounds found in sage, which can act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that intercept unstable molecules called free radicals in the body. Free radicals

cause cell damage and are associated with the negative effects of ageing, such as brain decline. In addition to packing your diet with healthy items, it is important to exercise regularly to

ward off heart disease and other serious health conditions. "Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient, lower your cholesterol level, and also

keep your blood pressure at a healthy level," explains the NHS. It also helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which is also essential for longevity. Obesity is linked to heart

disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer, warns the NHS.