We often hear amazing tales about how our grandparents, great grand parents and others on our ancestral lines lived to very ripe old ages.

We are further convinced of this possibility being as a result of their dependence on non processed healthy foods; often self cultivated and their ability to efficiently utilize herbs, concoctions and other forms of natural remedy for treatment of disease, infections and other maladies.

But did our forefathers really live longer than us? This article answers that question with some compelling reasons.

First of all, there is a distinction between lifespan and life expectancy. While lifespan has remained the same as it was in the past, life expectancy of modern humans has increased and continues to increase even more.

As a matter of fact, we are actually living way longer than our forefathers and the idea that they lived longer than us is a huge misconception.

A host of reasons exist to explain why we live longer than our forefathers as opposed to the widely held belief that the reverse was the case.

Secondly, advances in science and technology has ensured that we do not need to physically over exert ourselves in the name of work and livelihood.

For example, most industrial processes are automated unlike in the past during the time of our forefathers.

Automated industrial processes mean that we no longer need to push heavy, pull heavy, lift heavy or walk long distances.

Removing these burden from our lives comes with the bonus of eliminating complications that usually manifest at old age such as back pain, wrinkled skin, joint problems and a host of others.



Thirdly, as a result of advancement in science and technology, better methods of food production, storage and processing now exist.

Resultantly, we can now produce larger quantities of food and store almost all kinds of foods either in their natural or processed forms for longer times.

This is in huge contrast to the lifetime of our forefathers when only few kinds of foods could be stored and for only limited time.

Improved methods of food production, storage and processing means that we can now have enough to feed our increasing population even during periods of poor harvest.

In the past, periods of poor harvest certainly translated to famine and death.

Lastly, we have been able to wean our selves of certain harmful cultural and religious beliefs or practices such as female genital mutilation, branding children with SS genotypes as witches, etcetera which lead to reduced life expectancy and mortality.

There were a host of individuals who braved through all these unfavorable conditions that existed in the past and lived to ages beyond the seventies, eighties, nineties and even the hundreds.

These are exceptions to the rule and mind you, more people living longer now compared to the times of our forefathers.

To summarise, poor healthcare, lack of technology, lack of improved agricultural methods and existence of certain harmful beliefs and practices were responsible for the shortened life expectancy of our forefathers.

Our lifespan has remained constant but life expectancy continues to be on the rise.

Source: https://cdn-af.feednews.com/news/detail/430bdbf24362545451ae38ee87ce4a53

you didn't mention pollution, the world is polluted now more than ever, couldn't that be a life reducing factor?

I never see pesin wey lie pass this OP.
I'll be the first to admit that breakthroughs in science has enabled more people to live. We have vaccines that are able to prevent ailments that were fatal in the past.

But we are not living longer. There are so many things that can kill us today compared to our ancestors of yesteryears who didn't have a lot to contend with apart from diseases.

ValCon888:
I never see pesin wey lie pass this OP.
I'll be the first to admit that breakthroughs in science has enabled more people to live. We have vaccines that are able to prevent ailments that were fatal in the past.

But we are not living longer. There are so many things that can kill us today compared to our ancestors of yesteryears who didn't have a lot to contend with apart from diseases.

Op is a young man that does not know how and why our ancestors were able to survive and lived longer than dis generation. Op is the type that believes so much in theory than practical. D practical aspect is go out their, mingle and discuss with d living ancestors.