This is the age at which your body stops forgiving your bad habits (and it is not the one you imagine)

Did you think smoking, drinking or leading a sedentary life would only bring consequences after 60? A scientific study has shown that the damage begins long before we usually think. And not only affects the body: the mind also begins to resent. The most disturbing thing is that the effects are cumulative. But there is good news: it’s never too late to change.

The turning point: health breaks before 40

A Finland investigation carried out by the University of Applied Sciences Laurea, published in Annals of Medicinehas put concrete figures to a growing suspicion: bad life habits affect physical and mental health from 36 years.

The scientists analyzed data from more than 300 people born in 1959 in Jyväskylä, Finland, monitored from childhood to 61 years. Between 27 and 61, your health was evaluated in multiple stages through medical surveys and exams. The key factors studied were tobacco, alcohol and lack of physical activity.

The results were clear: those who maintained the three harmful habits showed significantly more deteriorated mental and physical health than those who did not practice them. Even with only one of those factors, early deterioration was already perceived.

The invisible cost: how these habits affect the body and mind

The study revealed worrying increases in depressive symptoms and metabolic risk scores, in addition to a decrease in psychological well -being and general health perception.

For example, those who supported these habits prolonged saw their metabolic risk increase by 1.49 points (over 5), and their depressive symptoms grow by 0.38 points (over 4). The lack of exercise was more linked to physical deterioration; tobacco, with mental health; and alcohol, with both.

A key message: it is never too late to improve

Dr. Tiia Kekäläinen, main author of the study, warns that noncommunicable diseases – such as cardiovascular and cancer – are directly related to these habits. However, he emphasizes that adopting a healthy lifestyle, even in medium age, can significantly improve the quality of life in old age.

The message is clear: although the clock runs, we are always in time to turn.

Source: Infobae.