Zhejiang Man, 101, Defies Longevity Stereotypes With Sugary Drinks and Rich Seafood—and Swears by His Relaxed Approach to Life.
HANGZHOU — When it comes to living a long life, conventional wisdom often dictates a bland diet and strict abstinence. But Lu Shizeng, a 101-year-old resident of Liangshan Village in Daxi Town, Wenling, Zhejiang Province, is rewriting that rulebook with a fridge full of cola and a taste for sweet fruits.
Known affectionately as “Grandpa Lu,” the centenarian consumes white rice at every meal, devours whole plates of swimming crabs, and stocks his home with cases of Sprite and Coca-Cola. His favorite indulgence? Chilled Sprite mixed with a few drops of white liquor, a “happy hour” ritual he enjoys with his evening meal.
“Sprite tastes sweeter when it’s cold,” Lu chuckled, sharing his unique beverage recipe. Beyond soda, he has a pronounced sweet tooth, favoring high-sugar fruits like watermelon, tangerines, and pears. His caregiver, Aunt Wang, noted his robust appetite: “He has good teeth and a healthy appetite. He never tires of rice, eating a small bowl each meal, and can polish off an entire plate of swimming crabs.”
A Shopping Ritual That Defies Age
Lu’s dietary philosophy is simple: freshness above all. Every five days, he takes a rickshaw to the local market to stock up on fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables—enough to last nearly a week. Vendors at the market, who regard him as a local celebrity, often remark that he looks no older than 80. Many still ask to take photos with him.
Until earlier this year, Lu even rode a tricycle to run his errands. After a fall in the first half of the year, his family insisted he switch to a rickshaw and retire from tending his vegetable garden. His caregiver, Aunt Wang, noted that his appetite remains robust: “He has good teeth and a hearty appetite. He never tires of rice and can polish off a small bowl, plus an entire plate of crab.”
Lu’s spending habits reflect his priorities. Every five days, he takes a rickshaw to the local market to stock up on fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables. Vendors, who often mistake him for an 80-year-old, eagerly pose for photos with the local celebrity. “I can tell if seafood is fresh with one bite,” Lu said proudly. He admits that while he splurges on premium seafood, vegetables rarely make it to his plate.
Born on September 7, 1926, Lu is a father of three and a great-grandfather. Despite his age, he maintains a remarkably sharp memory and robust health. His daily routine is as disciplined as his diet is indulgent: dinner at 5 p.m., a pear while watching television, lights out by 8 p.m., and an early rise at 4:30 a.m. He stretches in bed before getting up at 6 a.m., followed by a half-hour nap in a rattan chair at midday.
Twice a day, he uses a massage chair purchased by his daughter-in-law six years ago—a 15-minute session each time to relax his muscles and promote circulation. His family hired a live-in caregiver after he suffered a fall earlier this year, which slowed his movements. Previously, he would ride a tricycle to the local market every five days to stock up on fresh fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables.
Despite his advanced age, Lu remains sharp. He recalls events from his youth with clarity and boasts that he rarely catches even a cold. His blood pressure runs low, and his health metrics remain stable. He receives an 800 yuan monthly senior subsidy from the government, which he jokes mostly goes toward food.
“Eating well and living well is the most important thing,” Lu said. “I still have some savings, and most of it is spent on food.” He insists he can instantly tell if seafood is fresh, while vegetables are not a staple of his diet.
His caretaker, Aunt Wang, noted that Lu has excellent teeth and a hearty appetite, finishing an entire plate of crabs in one sitting. Despite his love for rich foods, he maintains a strict daily routine: rising at 4:30 a.m., enjoying a massage chair session twice daily, napping at noon, and sleeping by 8 p.m. His daughter-in-law purchased the massage chair six years ago, and Lu uses it religiously to relax his body.
Lu’s vitality extends beyond the dinner table. Until a fall earlier this year, he routinely cycled to the local market—a 5-day ritual where he stocked up on fish, shrimp, crab, pork, and seasonal vegetables. Vendors, who often mistake him for an octogenarian, frequently ask for photos with the local celebrity.
“Eating well and living well is the most important thing,” Lu said, noting that he spends most of his pension on fresh seafood. His sharp memory and robust health are testaments to his philosophy. He adheres to a strict schedule: dinner at 5 p.m., lights out by 8 p.m., and an early rise at 4:30 a.m., followed by gentle stretching in bed. A twice-daily session on a massage chair, a gift from his daughter-in-law, keeps him limber.
While he admits to eating few vegetables, he insists on high-quality fish and crab. “I can tell if seafood is fresh in one bite,” he said. His caregiver, Aunt Wang, confirmed his robust appetite: “He has good teeth and a hearty appetite. He eats rice three times a day and can polish off a full plate of swimming crabs.”
Despite his fondness for sugary sodas, Lu’s health remains stable. He reports low blood pressure, rare colds, and a sharp memory of his youth. His disciplined schedule sees him asleep by 8 p.m. and awake by 4 a.m., followed by a midday nap in a rattan chair.
He credits his longevity not to strict rules, but to comfort and routine: two daily sessions on a massage chair purchased by his daughter-in-law, fresh seafood bought every five days from the local market, and the freedom to enjoy what he likes. His family hires a caregiver to manage daily needs, though Lu remains active enough to have been a familiar face at the town market until a minor fall earlier this year slowed his pace.
“I spend most of my savings on good food,” Lu said. “If the fish isn’t fresh, I can tell immediately.” He receives an 800 yuan monthly senior allowance from the government and proudly notes he rarely catches colds, maintains low blood pressure, and remembers his youth with crystal clarity.
His caregivers describe a man of simple joys: two daily 15-minute sessions on a massage chair purchased by his daughter-in-law, a strict 8 p.m. bedtime, and a 4 a.m. wake-up call spent stretching in bed before rising at six. He naps for half an hour at noon and enjoys a pear while watching television each evening.
Local market vendors who have known Lu for decades say he looks at least two decades younger than his age. Until earlier this year, he would ride a tricycle to buy groceries; a fall has since slowed him down, prompting his family to insist he use a rickshaw instead.
“Eating well and living well is the most important thing,” said Lu, who receives an 800 yuan monthly senior subsidy. “I rarely catch colds, my blood pressure is low, and all my health indicators are stable. I’m very happy.”
Gerontologists note that while genetics play a role, Lu’s consistent routine—waking at 4:30 a.m., napping at noon, and using a massage chair twice daily—may contribute to his longevity. His relaxed attitude, strong family support, and active social life at the local market may be just as vital as any dietary choice.
Lu’s story offers a refreshing counterpoint to rigid health dogma: perhaps a contented mind, a joyful meal, and a regular schedule are the most effective elixirs for a long life.