If you think that eating healthy and exercising regularly are enough to extend your lifespan, you might be in for a surprise. According to a new study published in the journal Nature, diet and exercise alone are not sufficient to increase your longevity. The study found that other factors, such as genetics, environment, and social interactions, play a more important role in determining how long you will live.

The researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 people from 25 countries who participated in the UK Biobank project, a large-scale health and genetic database. They used a machine learning algorithm to identify the most influential factors that affect lifespan, and ranked them according to their importance. The results showed that diet and exercise were only ranked 13th and 15th, respectively, out of the 20 factors that were considered. The top five factors were age, sex, smoking status, education level, and income.

The study also revealed that some factors that are commonly believed to have a positive impact on longevity, such as drinking moderate amounts of alcohol or coffee, actually have a negative or negligible effect. On the other hand, some factors that are often overlooked, such as having a strong social network or living in a clean and green environment, have a significant positive effect on lifespan.

The researchers concluded that diet and exercise alone are not enough to achieve optimal health and longevity. They suggested that people should also pay attention to other aspects of their lives, such as their genetic makeup, their living conditions, and their social relationships. They also recommended that public health policies should take into account the multiple factors that influence lifespan, and not focus solely on diet and exercise.

The study has been met with mixed reactions from the scientific community and the general public. Some experts praised the study for its large sample size and its use of machine learning to identify the most relevant factors. They agreed that diet and exercise are not the only determinants of longevity, and that other factors should be considered as well. However, some critics questioned the validity and reliability of the study, arguing that the data used was self-reported and prone to errors and biases. They also pointed out that the study did not establish causal relationships between the factors and lifespan, and that correlation does not imply causation. They cautioned that diet and exercise are still important for maintaining good health and preventing diseases, and that people should not neglect them based on this study.