Smoking, drinking alcohol, and being physically inactive can negatively impact your mind and body as early as age 30, according to a new study published in the journal Annals of Medicine.
Scientists have studied the effects of these three specific habits and found that they can be harmful to health starting at this age.
To conduct the study, they tracked more than 300 children born in Finland in 1959, collecting data on their physical and mental well-being until they turned 61. Participants who exhibited all three habits—smoking, drinking alcohol, and being physically inactive—had a higher risk of developing depression and other health problems. According to the results, the effects became apparent after they turned 30.
Lack of physical activity was associated with poor physical health, smoking with poor mental health, and alcohol abuse with both physical and mental health issues.
The study authors note that the results highlight the importance of addressing health-risk behaviors early to prevent the damage they cause from accumulating over the years.
However, researchers emphasize that it is never too late to adopt healthy habits, and even changes made in middle age can have significant benefits.
