Marvel superheroes are undoubtedly an extraordinary group, maverick, possess outstanding abilities, and may live longer than the average person. Especially in addition to Thor and others, most Marvel superheroes are ordinary people, and their health and various living habits are more acceptable to ordinary people.
Recently, researchers from the Health Services Research Center of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, in order to better understand the correlation between environmental factors and health levels in later life, chose to analyze the well-known Marvel superheroes, summarized the positive and negative behaviors of Marvel superheroes after watching 24 Marvel movies, and combined with 5 superhero individuals (Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther and Spider-Man) to guide people on how to better understand healthy old age.
The study was published in the authoritative medical journal BMJ under the title "Anticipating the ageing trajectories of superheroes in the Marvel cinematic universe".
How to age healthily?
In the past century, with the acceleration of industrialization and the rapid development of human civilization, more and more countries have begun to enter a society with an aging population. At the same time, at the end of the last century, in order to accelerate economic development, China implemented a strict family planning policy while vigorously carrying out reform and opening up, which further accelerated the process of China's aging.
According to the latest census data, in 2020, the national population aged 60 and above was 264.02 million, accounting for 18.70%; of which the population aged 65 and over was 190.64 million, accounting for 13.50%. Compared to 2010, the proportion of the population aged 60 years and over increased by 5.44 percentage points. By province, there are 16 provinces in the country with a population of more than 5 million people aged 65 and over, of which 6 provinces have an elderly population of more than 10 million.
According to the United Nations standards, more than 7% of the population aged 65 and over belongs to an aging society, and reaching 14% is a deeply aging society. Obviously, China is very close to a deeply aging society.
(Source: Pixabay)
However, most other ageing countries have experienced population ageing as early as the last century and have better experience in dealing with population ageing. In contrast, the aging process of Chinese population is fast and the response measures are not sufficient. Therefore, in order to better cope with the problem of aging, we must be fully prepared.
Whether it is coping with the aging of the population or living a happy old age, it is very important to have a healthy body in the old age. A healthy elderly person can reduce the need for care by being self-sufficient, avoid medication and hospitalization, reduce health care costs, and even help care for other elderly people. Therefore, in order for the prosperity of the country and the happy life of the individual, we need to maintain a healthy state in old age.
So, how do you stay healthy in your old age?
It is well known that healthy aging is very important to improve the happiness of the elderly in their old age and reduce the national medical burden. In general, the health level of the elderly is mainly determined by genetic factors and environmental factors. Among them, genetic factors are fixed and cannot be changed, while environmental factors can be modified.
So, to give the public a better understanding of how to age healthily, the researchers conducted a systematic analysis of 24 Marvel movies, summarizing the behavior of superheroes and dividing them into positive behavior and negative behavior.
Positive Behavior:
Marvel superheroes are mostly physically active, socially engaged, optimistic, highly educated (with one notable exception), and healthy weight, all of which contribute to healthy aging.
The first is exercise, Marvel superheroes are mostly physically strong, exercising regularly, especially high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIT), which can significantly improve the health of the elderly. Even in the process of discussing how to stop aliens from enslaving humans, these superheroes will get up from time to time and walk around and avoid sitting for a long time, which can significantly reduce late-life mortality.
This is followed by social engagement, where these superheroes are highly socially cohesive and connected and can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. In general, people who are socially connected tend to live longer than isolated people.
At the same time, superheroes generally have a good positive attitude, no matter how difficult the environment can maintain a sense of purpose and psychological resilience, which is also very important for healthy aging. In addition, with the exception of Thor, the vast majority of superheroes do not drink or smoke heavily, which is obviously essential for health and longevity.
Of course, since most superheroes are also human, there will also be some unhealthy behaviors.
Negative behavior:
Superheroes' negative behavior is mainly due to long-term exposure to noise, pollution, and physical injuries, especially head injuries, caused by high-risk physical activities.
For example, many superheroes repeatedly approach exploding planets or are exposed to loud war noises during military operations, which can lead to hearing loss in their later years, which in turn increases the risk of dementia. Some superheroes, such as hulks and Thor, speak loud, which can be a sign of early hearing loss.
Of course, they fight often, and head damage is easy to increase the risk of dementia, and physical damage is also easy to leave disability.
Which superhero is healthier?
In order to better help everyone understand how to enter the old age healthily, the researchers also conducted "superhero health" examinations on Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther and Spider-Man.
(Source: Marvel)
Iron Man:
As a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, Stark's intellectual level and social and economic status are unquestionable, which significantly reduces his risk of dementia. At the same time, Stark lives in a big city, has developed medical care, and eventually a happy marriage with Pepper Potts will help him grow old healthily.
However, it is unclear whether Stark's armor will provide sufficient protection from gravity and radiation when he goes into space, otherwise his chances of developing osteoporosis and malignancy will be greatly improved. At the same time, multiple bodily injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder also threatened his health. The most worrying thing is his chronic heart disease, which will take his life at some point.
Hulk:
Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk during tachycardia, with a heart beat of nearly 200 beats per minute, which means he may have heart disease and is highly prone to arrhythmias, significantly increasing the risk of stroke, dementia and death.
Meanwhile, the Hulk's body mass index (BMI) is close to 120. Although being overweight is strongly associated with resistance to beatings, obesity significantly increases the risk of all-cause death and the risk of a variety of chronic diseases. In addition, the Hulk is in a state of rage almost all the time, which increases the risk of inflammation in the body.
Black Widow:
Natasha Romanov was taken from her family to undergo training as assassins and spies. Unpleasant childhood experiences, including abuse, neglect, and interpersonal conflict, can significantly increase their risk of mental illness. The cessation of ovarian function caused by forced sterilization can lead to a range of problems such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depression.
panther:
Thanks to vibranium, the Kingdom of Wakanda is the most technologically developed country in the global economy. As king, T'Challa had sufficient privileges, and his education, wealth, and social status were closely related to longevity and health. At the same time, Black Panther is a vegetarian attention, and a plant-based diet reduces obesity and cardiovascular disease.
However, he has long taken a potion made of a heart-shaped herb to improve physical and mental abilities and endow superpowers. The effect of this drug on the body is unclear. But according to current experience, drugs that improve human performance have large side effects, such as stimulants.
Spider-Man:
Peter Parker was an orphan, losing his parents prematurely or increasing drug abuse, eating an unbalanced diet, psychological immaturity, low self-esteem, and a host of other problems. Fortunately, the aunt's company can alleviate these problems to a certain extent.
As Spider-Man, spider-related abilities, including strength, agility, and flexibility, can reduce his risk of falling in his later years. However, as a teenager, Spider-Man often fights crime late at night, which obviously does not guarantee 8-10 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep in adolescents can lead to an increased risk of obesity, fatigue and unintentional injury.
Admittedly, Marvel superheroes have made great efforts so far in keeping the multiverse safe, artificial intelligence creation, and space travel. In the future, it is hoped that they will be able to focus on global aging and provide high-quality, healthy social care and life for billions of elderly people in the multiverse.
Resources:
https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj-2021-068001
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/937467