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100 Simple Secrets of Healthy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use it – An Evidence-Based Guide to Fitness and Longevity

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The Simple Science of a Healthy Life From fitness to diets to emotional health and longevity, what do people who feel and look healthy do differently than those who are overtired, depressed, or out of shape? Every day we face an avalanche of studies and statistics that tell us what we should or shouldn't eat, how long we need to exercise, or how to protect ourselves from secondhand smoke and the harmful rays from the sun. Not only are these studies often contradictory, but the actual scientific information is usually inaccessible. Moving beyond the myths and misinformation, the advice in these pages is not based on one person's opinions or one expert's study. For the first time the research available on the health of average Americans has been distilled into one hundred essential ways that we can become healthier and happier. Each of the core findings is accompanied by a real life example showing these results in action.

206 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2003

83 people are currently reading
172 people want to read

About the author

David Niven

32 books33 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

David^Niven, Ph.D., is the author 100 Simple Secrets book series

David^^Niven, actor and author of The Moon's a Balloon

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5 stars
23 (13%)
4 stars
47 (27%)
3 stars
70 (40%)
2 stars
25 (14%)
1 star
9 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Cece ♡.
10 reviews11 followers
January 23, 2025
This book is a gives great insight and offers tips to live a healthier lifestyle.
Profile Image for Camila Gil.
550 reviews18 followers
August 18, 2022
Fresco y educativo. Lo puede leer en una sentada y hacerse conciente de su salud.
Profile Image for Shams Khan.
26 reviews3 followers
January 7, 2024
I really enjoyed reading "The Hundred Simple Secrets of Healthy People" by David Niven. It took me a long time to finish it, as I was taking my time. It's difficult to read through this book in one go since there are a hundred secrets. Each secret is concise and to the point, and at the end of each, the results of a study are shown to reinforce the secret itself. There are about a hundred secrets, covering different aspects of health.

Some were obvious, while others were not. Topics range from vitamins, bacteria, spinach, fitness, cold therapies, tanning beds, tomatoes, bread, grape juice, forgiveness, stress, sports drinks, sickness, oranges, friendship, tea, sleep, teeth, noise, guilt, fireworks, sun exposure, piercings, wine, exercise, holidays, and many other topics.

I would recommend this book for leisurely reading where one can read one or two secrets a day to let them sink in.
654 reviews
February 28, 2019
This book tells you a lot of little things you can do to become a healthier person.It is a good read and there is something that everyone can use in the book to become healthier.
Profile Image for Jason.
56 reviews5 followers
November 7, 2007
This is a small book that basically gives 100 recommendations to obtain or maintain health. Most of the advice (even though there's nothing in the way of in-depth) is sound although it's pretty much just common sense. In other words if you are moderately health-conscious I don't think you are in for any great discoveries. One of the more ridiculous suggestions in the book was that you could get the daily amount of water you need simply by the foods you eat and that you shouldn't drink a lot of water. Anyone who is anyone in the fitness or nutrition industry will tell you how important and absolutely vital it is to drink water owing to the facts that it keeps you hydrated, cleans your system, and is the best natural diuretic we have. At times this book comes off dry and monotonous but it's one of those books that's interesting enough and "feel good" enough to keep you reading long enough to get through it without too much distaste.
Profile Image for Milka.
386 reviews2 followers
December 1, 2013
After reading the 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People, I thought I'd read the rest of the books in this series. This one doesn't disappoint, as it's full of simple tips to live a healthier lifestyle. Most of these, you already know, others are interesting to discover or remember. My favorite health tips? "Healthy living is an attitude" (seeing your health in a positive light helps you maintain healthy habits), "breathe right" (it's amazing what proper breathing can do to you), "laughter really is medicine" (it reduces anxiety and pain), and "hug for health" (hugs relieve stress and provide comfort).If you're looking for some ideas to make your life healthier, this is a simple book to read.
Profile Image for Alex.
327 reviews6 followers
February 8, 2008
I downloaded this as an eBook from the NYPL to read in snippets at work. For that purpose, it is an excellent book: totally light, each 'chapter' (1.5 pages, max) stands alone, and the info is more page-a-day calendar than OMG! THAT'S AMAZING!!!1! I would recommend this book to people who are bored at work and can download it for free from their library and are interested in being reminded of good health habits and to maybe pick up a couple good new ones. But nothing earth-shattering included.
Profile Image for Duygu.
35 reviews
March 7, 2014
The suggestions are very beneficial even though they are very common known things. I have a disappointment for the research section: The statistics doesn't say me anything but just numbers since the references are not stated as a footnote... Particularly, I loved the 23rd topic which is about tomato. As a being tomato hater, I just become very excited when it is claimed that the cooked tomato might be 2.5 times beneficial to the raw one comparing their lycopene amounts! Overall, the book is O.K but I cannot assert it's worth to read it...
Profile Image for Robin.
641 reviews12 followers
December 8, 2009
Nothing new for me, but who doesn't need reminders?? Part of me thinks there were so many things mentioned that you cannot remember most, but another part thinks that everyone can find a part that "speaks to them." Great lunch reading, since chapters are about 2 pages each.
17 reviews
March 5, 2008
Filled with some interesting data and tips, but would love to get more info on some issues. But it gives in very clear and easygoing way some interesting facts and science findings.
Profile Image for Kris.
491 reviews
June 25, 2013
Short healthy reminders that can appeal to anyone.

I didn't finish this book, but may check it out again.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,755 reviews
August 10, 2013
This book was okay but basically common sense. I also disagree with the chapter on water consumption.
Profile Image for Eleftheria.
151 reviews5 followers
December 6, 2013
Αν και έχει περάσει καιρός ακόμη κρατώ κάποιες οδηγίες.
Γραμμένο απλά, κατανοητά και διαβάζεται γρήγορα.
7 reviews
June 7, 2015
just use common sense and you could write this book
54 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2015
Good review

This is a good book for reviewing the actions and factors in life that you do or don't do and how your actions effect your health.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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