A New York woman who just celebrated her 104th birthday has revealed her secrets to living longer — and they may surprise you.
Antoinette Inserra, of Staten Island, attributed her long years to applying makeup and making sure she gets out of the house every day.
She also enjoys a glass of beer or vermouth every night and eats a balanced diet, including soft-shelled crabs, pepperoni, and plenty of spinach.
And to keep her mind sharp, she still spends time solving crossword puzzles and word search puzzles.
Antoinette Inserra of Staten Island, New York, celebrated her 104th birthday last month (pictured). She said the key to longevity was to get out of the house every day and drink a glass of beer or vermouth daily
‘I take care of myself. I do what I have to do,” she said TODAY. “Once you take care of yourself, everything will be done.”
Mrs. Inserra has four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Her daughter Phyllis Scotto said, “She saw my son get married, which we didn’t think she would.
“She had covid twice and she survived. And then she got to see [my son] having his first baby.
“So it’s been quite an accomplishment that she’s made. She surprises everyone.’
Born on April 21, 1919, in the Little Italy neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, she was one of four sisters and five brothers. SIAdvance.
Her father was an immigrant from Bari, southern Italy, while her mother had arrived from Trieste, in the north of the country.
After graduating from eighth grade, she took a job folding laundry and then in a shoe store before meeting her husband – Vincent Inserra – when she was 18 years old.
The couple tied the knot on January 8, 1944 and settled down to raise a large family.
Mr. Inserra died when he was 68 years old, but his wife has now reached the centenary milestone.
When asked about how she’s made it so far, Ms. Inserra says he’s taken life one day at a time and has always had a positive outlook.
“My daughter is taking me out. I take the walker, and this is enough for me. I am happy with that,” she said.
About challenges in life, she said, “What can you do when something happens? You just let it go, you do what you can and that’s it.
“I’m just saying you look nice and make nice friends. Be nice to them and you will have good friends.
“That’s how I look at it.”
When asked about her diet and mentioning beer, her daughter Ms. Scotto quipped, “That might just be her secret!” Who knows?’
Mrs. Inserra is pictured above on her 103rd and 102nd birthdays. Her daughter Phyllis Scotto revealed she had also survived Covid twice and watched her grandchildren have children
For her 100th birthday, the family gathered at the Great Kills Yacht Club, Staten Island, to celebrate (pictured above is Mrs. Inserra, center, with members of her family)
When her mother left the house every day, Mrs. Scotto added, “She’s ready to go out every day with her make-up on and her shoes on.”
There is growing scientific evidence that avoiding loneliness can help a person live longer and healthier lives.
The evidence is so compelling that top US doctor Vivek Murthy declared this week that loneliness is an epidemic and as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Mrs Inserra is pictured above on her 104th birthday
Previous research has suggested that lonely people are up to 30 percent more likely to develop heart disease. An article published last year also suggested that loneliness ages people faster than smoking.
Scientists say loneliness can shorten a person’s life by increasing levels of inflammation in the body, which damages cells and vital organs.
Lonely people may also go out less and exercise less, putting them at risk for a whole host of illnesses including Alzheimer’s and heart problems.
There is also some evidence that drinking alcohol in moderation can extend your life compared to not drinking at all.
However, many of the studies behind this claim have now been disproved by researchers who pointed out that the teetotalers they included were likely people who previously had a problematic relationship with drinking.
There is some evidence that alcohol can shorten your life. a Meta-analysis 2019 published in the Lancet, which involved 600,000 people, found that those who consumed seven to 14 drinks a week had a six-month shorter life expectancy at age 40 than those who drank less often.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it’s safe for women to drink one alcoholic drink a day and no more than two for men.
The oldest woman on Staten Island is Lena Vallone Barone, who celebrated her 108th birthday in January.
Mrs. Barone says she still gets her hair and nails done every week and always enjoys a game of cards. She also calls the family together every Sunday for pasta with freshly made sauce, sausage and meatballs.