(December 17, 2012 - Insidermedicine)

From Cambridge - Over-indulging in unhealthy lifestyle habits can add up to take significant time off of a person's life, according to a report published in the British Medical Journal. Using data from several population studies, researchers estimated how many hours that daily habits take or add to life expectancy. Every half-hour of life expectancy was termed a 'microlife.' Results showed that a microlife could be lost from:
    -Smoking just two cigarettes
    -Eating a burger
    -Having a second or third alcoholic drink a day
    -Watching two hours of TV
In contrast, a microlife could be gained from:
    -Eating fresh fruits and vegetables
    -Sticking to just one drink a day
    -Taking statins
    -Exercising