A centenarian in China's Zhejiang Province draws attention for his unconventional lifestyle
He goes to bed at 8 p.m. and rises at 4 a.m. every day
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A Chinese centenarian who regularly drinks carbonated sodas such as Coca-Cola and Sprite has gone viral for living well past 100.
According to the South China Morning Post on Tuesday (local time), the daily life of Lu Sizeng, a 101-year-old man living in a rural village in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province in eastern China, has been making the rounds online.
The attention stems from the fact that he leads a happy and healthy life despite habits widely considered harmful to one's health.
While many young Chinese pursue wellness routines rooted in traditional Chinese medicine — such as herbal diets, low-sugar eating and daily foot baths — Lu keeps cases of Coca-Cola and Sprite on hand and drinks them freely.
He particularly enjoys mixing a few drops of white wine into cold Sprite. He also drinks small amounts of alcohol with meals and regularly eats sweet fruits such as watermelon, pears and tangerines. According to his caregiver, Lu has a hearty appetite, finishing half a bowl of rice and an entire plate of crab in a single sitting.
He is, however, selective about freshness and spends most of his savings on food.
Until last year, Lu drove a three-wheeled vehicle to the village market every five days to buy seafood — including fish, shrimp and crab — along with pork and vegetables. After he fell off the vehicle, his family persuaded him to stop driving.
Lu keeps a strict daily routine. He finishes dinner at 5 p.m., rests afterward and goes to bed around 8 p.m. He typically wakes at 4 a.m. and spends two hours stretching in bed before getting up at 6 a.m. He also takes a nap every day at noon.
Lu takes considerable pride in his health. "Some elderly people suffer a stroke after a fall, but I am perfectly fine," he said. "I remember quite a lot from my younger years. I rarely catch colds, and my blood pressure is relatively low."
Lu said he is also satisfied with the elderly allowance he receives from Zhejiang Province. The province provides centenarians aged 100 and older with 800 yuan ($119) per month. By comparison, residents between 90 and 99 receive only 100 yuan per month.
Online commenters reacted with a mix of humor and reflection. "Living to 101 while drinking Coke must be a headache for the experts," one wrote. Others said "a good mood and regular sleep are the most important secrets to longevity," while some noted that "some people are just born that way — lifestyle is a secondary factor in longevity, and for more than 99.9 percent of people, it remains merely a dream."
jshan@heraldcorp.com
