106-Year-Old Grandmother Reveals Secret to Longevity: "Eating 'This' Every Day and Having Parties"

Reveals She Enjoys Chocolate Snacks Every Day

A British woman approaching her 106th birthday credited 'chocolate' as the secret to her longevity.

Edith Hill of the UK holds chocolate ahead of her 106th birthday on the 3rd. Photo by Yorkshire Live

On the 28th (local time), the British BBC and others reported that Edith Hill, from Yorkshire, England, said ahead of her 106th birthday, "Eating chocolate every day and enjoying parties helps maintain youth and health." Edith moved to a nursing home only after turning 100, and she has continued to eat chocolate daily since then. Her favorite chocolate is Cadbury Dairy Milk, but she is said to enjoy a variety of chocolates. Especially during Easter, she enjoys a special assortment of sweets. Although Edith loves chocolate, she is known not to smoke or drink alcohol.

Born on March 3, 1919, Edith experienced two world wars, witnessed the coronations of five monarchs, and saw 23 prime ministers take office at Downing Street, making her a so-called 'living history.' Ahead of her 106th birthday, the nursing home staff are preparing a special birthday event. The staff have prepared a double chocolate cake and launched a campaign to collect 106 birthday cards matching Edith’s age.

The nursing home residents praised Edith Hill as "a wonderful woman and a person of great character." Comments included, "She still does everything for herself. Considering her age, it’s truly amazing," and "She is someone who can represent Britain."

Meanwhile, consuming foods rich in antioxidants, such as dark chocolate, can help protect the body from free radicals. Mia Shin, a certified nutritionist in the U.S., explained, "Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that fight diseases, with research showing it plays beneficial roles in preventing age-related cellular damage, lowering blood pressure, and reducing the risk of heart disease."

Dark chocolate also contains several minerals beneficial to the body, including iron, zinc, and magnesium. There have been studies indicating that chocolate helps reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. For health benefits, it is recommended to consume small amounts of products containing at least 75% cocoa.