Two inexpensive drinks considered the “nemesis” of can.cer, helping Soong Mei-ling live to 106
Soong Mei-ling often drank these two types of beverages both to detoxify her body and to help prevent cancer from returning.
Soong Mei-ling was born in 1897 in Shanghai and passed away in the United States in 2003 at the age of 106. She was an important witness to modern and contemporary Chinese history.
Throughout her life, Soong Mei-ling faced many health problems. At the age of 40, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but thanks to early detection, the disease was brought under control. Later, she also developed ovarian cysts. Even so, thanks to very scientific health-care practices, she overcame cancer and lived to the remarkable age of 106. Even in old age, her complexion remained rosy and firm, and her teeth stayed strong.
One of the longevity and beauty secrets that Soong Mei-ling practiced and that later generations followed was her habit of drinking two familiar beverages below:
1. Drinking green tea
Drinking green tea was one of Soong Mei-ling’s secrets for beauty and longevity. She often asked her staff to prepare enough green tea for her to drink throughout the day. She highly valued green tea leaves for their health-preserving effects: helping to prevent cancer, regulating emotions when her mood was low, and reducing the risk of blocked or ruptured cerebral blood vessels.
The polyphenols in green tea are water-soluble compounds with strong antioxidant and biological activity. They not only help fight aging and nourish the skin, but also reduce damage from ultraviolet radiation. They are also believed to have beneficial effects in conditions related to radiation exposure and cancer.
Soong Mei-ling was born in 1897 in Shanghai and passed away in the United States in 2003 at the age of 106. She was an important witness to modern and contemporary Chinese history.
Throughout her life, Soong Mei-ling faced many health problems. At the age of 40, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but thanks to early detection, the disease was brought under control. Later, she also developed ovarian cysts. Even so, thanks to very scientific health-care practices, she overcame cancer and lived to the age of 106. Even in old age, her complexion remained rosy and smooth, and her teeth stayed strong.
One of the effective secrets to longevity and beauty that Soong Mei-ling practiced and passed down was the habit of drinking the two familiar beverages below:
2. Drinking lemon water
Soong Mei-ling began drinking lemon water at the age of 40, when she discovered she had breast cancer. She believed that lemons could nourish the skin, regulate vital energy, detoxify the body, soften blood vessels, and cleanse the stomach. For this reason, she often drank lemon water in the morning. This beverage was believed to help eliminate toxins, cleanse the intestines, and alter the body’s acidity.
As a result, even at the age of 70, Soong Mei-ling remained beautiful and healthy. In 2001, when she turned 104, her skin was still rosy with few wrinkles. When American doctors asked her about her beauty-care secrets, she did not hesitate to say that she often drank lemon water to maintain her appearance. At the age of 106, she passed away naturally, not due to cancer.
Four habits that helped Soong Mei-ling prolong life and slow aging
According to Zhuanlan, at the age of 60, Soong Mei-ling still had fair, soft skin, maintained a body weight of around 50 kg, and had strong teeth. At the age of 100, during a comprehensive health check, American doctors stated that she was still extremely healthy, with no cardiovascular or blood-pressure problems, and her blood lipid levels were always within the normal range.
Many people believe that the secret to living long and staying healthy like Soong Mei-ling must come from something extraordinary. In reality, it came from very simple daily habits.
1. Eating plenty of vegetables
Soong Mei-ling maintained the habit of eating a lot of vegetables from a young age and always paid attention to balancing meat and vegetables in her diet. The vegetables she often ate were spinach and celery, as they contain many nutrients and antioxidants believed to help fight cancer. In addition, celery is very rich in fiber, which helps women maintain a slim waistline effectively.
2. Regular massage
One reason Soong Mei-ling was able to maintain smooth, radiant skin was her habit of massaging her body every day. She regularly practiced massage to stimulate the body’s meridians, especially the back, which contains many acupuncture points believed to promote health and longevity. Massaging these points was thought to help relieve illness, improve blood circulation, stimulate nerve endings, support organ function, and keep the mind clear.
3. Maintaining a positive, cheerful mindset
Like everyone else, Soong Mei-ling experienced the full range of emotions—joy, anger, love, and sorrow. However, she trained herself to have strong self-control. Whenever she encountered unpleasant situations, she would talk with close confidants and express her feelings openly. Her open personality and consistently positive, carefree mindset were believed to help regulate the body’s energy and blood flow, contributing to her long life.
4. Living a disciplined lifestyle
Soong Mei-ling’s daily schedule was very regular. Each day, she spent no more than two hours painting and reading, and about 30 minutes in the evening watching TV or playing music. She usually went to bed at 11 p.m. and woke up at 9 a.m. the next morning. Chu Chang-tai, her bodyguard while she lived in the United States, said: “She lived a very relaxed life. She went to bed and woke up on schedule, with a very clear routine.”
Sleep was considered extremely important, allowing the body to recover and regenerate. Too little sleep can lead to poor concentration and low energy, while too much sleep can make the body sluggish and, over time, contribute to illness.
