Following eight healthy habits can give you the body of someone six years younger, new research has found.

They include healthy eating, physical activity, not smoking, getting a good night’s sleep, managing weight and keeping cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels in check.

The American Heart Association calls them “Life’s Essential Eight” and research being presented at its annual scientific conference shows adults who stick most closely to the recommendations are about six years younger, biologically, than their chronological age.

As heart health went up, biological ageing went down, and adequate sleep was crucial

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The researchers looked at data from more than 6,500 adults, who had undergone blood tests to measure markers of health such as metabolism, inflammation and organ function. They also scored study participants on how well their lifestyles adhered to the Life’s Essential Eight, with