Have you ever wondered what truly sets centenarians apart from the rest of us? Surprisingly, researchers have actually identified some visible, shared traits among the incredibly long-lived.

An old saying goes, "Big ears bring great fortune and longevity." For years, most treated this as mere folk wisdom. But incredibly, scientists have taken it seriously, finding that among long-lived elders, those with larger ears and earlobes are indeed more common.

Research findings suggest a link between larger ears and longer life

The proverb "Big ears mean long life, small nose means little wealth" is widely known. But is there any scientific basis for the connection between ears and longevity? This question has actually been studied.

Guangxi is a region known for its many "longevity townships." In 2018, researchers from the Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention published a study in the Chinese Journal of Gerontology. They analyzed biological indicators from 817 centenarians and other elderly individuals across five longevity counties in Guangxi.

The results were striking: among the long-lived individuals, there was a higher proportion of those with large ears and large earlobes. In the study, "large ears" were defined as those longer than 6.5 centimeters, and "long earlobes" were defined as those with a lower edge that hangs free, rather than connecting directly to the cheek.

Specific data made the point clear: 85.5% of centenarians and older had large ears, and 83.1% had large earlobes. Further multi-factor regression analysis showed that long-lived elders were 3.7 times more likely to have large ears and 1.7 times more likely to have large earlobes compared to the general elderly population.

Why might large ears and earlobes be common among the long-lived?

Here's a lesser-known fact: our ears continue to grow throughout our lifetime. So, statistically speaking, the longer a person lives, the more time their ears have to grow, naturally making them larger.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, there is also logic to "big ears, long life." Dai Jingang, a researcher at the Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, explained in a 2025 interview that TCM associates ear size with the strength of kidney qi and the sufficiency of blood and vital energy. Since the kidneys govern growth, development, and reproduction, abundant kidney qi is thought to lead to greater vitality and a longer lifespan.

Ultimately, the researchers speculated that longer ears and larger earlobes do have a certain correlation with longevity and may serve as one of the body's surface markers for a long life.

It's crucial to note that while ear size may be linked to lifespan, it is not a definitive predictor. Longevity is far more dependent on a healthy lifestyle and a positive mindset cultivated over time.

Five body signals that are considered 'bonus points' for longevity

A growing body of research suggests that some people are naturally endowed with advantages associated with a longer life. Here are five such physical signs; the more you possess, the better your potential "foundation" might be.

Signal 1: Strong grip strength

We often use "weak as a kitten" to describe someone frail. Indeed, grip strength is a reliable indicator of overall health and future longevity potential.

A 2015 study published in The Lancet measured the grip strength of nearly 1.4 million adults across 17 countries, tracking their health for four years. The results showed that for every 11-pound (about 5 kilograms) decrease in grip strength, the risk of death from any cause increased by 16%.

Many believe that declining grip strength is an inevitable part of aging. While it's true that muscle mass and grip strength decrease with age, this can be countered with proper exercise. For middle-aged and younger people, exercises using dumbbells or hand grips are recommended. Seniors can improvise at home with water bottles as weights, or by wringing towels and using hand exercise balls. Remember not to hold your breath while exercising.

Signal 2: Thicker thighs

A 2020 study published in the British Medical Journal, which included over 2.52 million participants, found an interesting phenomenon: people with thicker thighs and larger hips often have a lower risk of death and tend to live longer.

Specifically, for every 5-centimeter increase in thigh circumference, the risk of all-cause mortality dropped by 18%. For hip circumference, every 10-centimeter increase was associated with a 10% lower risk of all-cause death, a link that was more significant in women.

Another study in the international journal Nutrition in Clinical Practice found that people with the thickest thighs (circumference > 56.7 cm) had longer telomeres on their chromosomes compared to those with the thinnest thighs (circumference < 48.1 cm), suggesting a potential for longer life. The study also found that people with thick thighs had a 43% lower all-cause mortality rate than those with thin thighs.

Gong Xiaohua, an associate chief physician in the Endocrinology Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, has noted that the normal range for thigh circumference is 46 to 60 centimeters. Within the normal range, larger thighs generally mean stronger leg muscles. People with thick thighs tend to have better blood lipid profiles, lower risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, and higher bone density.

Squats are a great exercise to activate the gluteal and leg muscles, increase lower limb vitality, and maintain joint stability.

Signal 3: Slightly overweight but with a slim waist

A 2024 study published in the European Heart Journal examined the association between Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and mortality in adults over 80. The findings revealed that among the very old, those with a higher BMI but a slimmer waist had the lowest risk of death. In other words, a slightly plump build with a slim waist may be more conducive to a long life.

A slim waist also means less visceral fat, which is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and higher mortality. To achieve this, aim for 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily, reduce sedentary time, incorporate more whole grains and coarse cereals into your main meals, and increase your intake of fiber-rich foods like oats, mung beans, tomatoes, and grapefruit.

Signal 4: A slower resting heart rate (within a healthy range)

Within the healthy range, a slower heartbeat may indicate a longer lifespan. A study mentioned in the article "Heart Rate and Lifespan" followed elderly individuals aged 65-70 without cardiovascular risk factors over a long period. The results identified heart rate as a strong predictor of longevity.

Guo Yifang, vice president of Hebei Provincial People's Hospital, has cautioned that while the theoretical adult heart rate range is 60-100 beats per minute, more research suggests a range of 50-80 bpm is optimal. Compared to those with a heart rate of 50-80 bpm, people with a heart rate exceeding 80 bpm are more prone to cardiovascular disease and should pay closer attention.

To lower your resting heart rate, you can engage in regular aerobic exercise, do more housework, manage your weight (as excess weight puts more strain on the heart and increases heart rate), quit smoking, limit alcohol, and follow a low-salt diet.

Signal 5: Retaining more teeth

Excessive tooth loss is linked to a shorter lifespan. A 2024 study in The Lancet Healthy Longevity found that in older adults, the fewer teeth one has, the higher their risk of death.

Compared to individuals with 28 or more teeth, the risk of death was 14% higher for those with 20-27 teeth, 36% higher for those with 10-19 teeth, 54% higher for those with 1-9 teeth, and a striking 63% higher for those with no teeth at all.

To preserve your teeth, brush correctly in the morning and night, rinse your mouth after meals, get an oral check-up at least once a year to promptly treat cavities and periodontal disease, and replace missing teeth as soon as possible.