David Attenborough's diet change as he rules out certain food to 'live past 100'

is set to mark his 99th birthday in a few days, but has acknowledged that he is "nearing the end of his life." While he has expressed his desire to reach his 100th birthday, the legendary broadcaster has credited some of his enduring health and vigour to his brilliant diet.

While he hasn't fully adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, Attenborough, who turns 99 on May 9, drastically scaled back his red meat consumption, a move he believes could be contributing to his impressive longevity. Back in 2017, Attenborough shared insights into his and revealed: "I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don't think I've eaten red meat for months."

He also admitted: "I do eat cheese, I have to say, and I eat fish. But by and large, I've become much more vegetarian over the past few years than I thought I would ever be."

Studies have consistently shown that plant-based diets can help extend life by staving off chronic diseases. They also reduce one's carbon footprint – a matter very dear to the environmentalist, reports .

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Red meat includes beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison and goat. Eating too much processed meat and red meat probably increases your risk of bowel (colorectal) cancer,

Some meats are high in saturated fat, which can raise blood cholesterol levels if you eat too much of it. Having high cholesterol raises your risk of coronary heart disease.

Despite maintaining a healthy diet and staying mentally sharp, Attenborough confessed to Anderson Cooper in a 2021 interview that he fears cognitive decline as he gets older, with the prospect of becoming "helpless" due to a condition like Alzheimer's being among his greatest concerns.

He also confided to the about his concerns regarding ageing, saying he is "coming to terms" with the possibility of memory loss as he grows older. This week, the wildlife guru in his latest captivating documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, as he nears his 99th birthday.

"When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity. Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea," he revealed.

He also voiced his deep worries about the deteriorating state of the ocean, confessing: "Today, it is in such poor health I would find it hard not to lose hope were it not for the most remarkable discovery of all."

However, Attenborough clung to optimism, asserting that marine environments can bounce back strongly. He insisted: "If we save the sea, we save our . After a lifetime of filming our planet, I'm sure nothing is more important."

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