Chocolate Is The Secret To Living A Longer Life, Says 102-Year-Old

Some people say the key to longevity is to stop smoking, drinking, eating rich foods, and having sex. But a centenarian from Boonville, Indiana, has a sweeter solution. Eunice Modlin, who just celebrated her 102nd birthday, attributes her long life to chocolate and naps.

"She has two pieces of dark chocolate a day and takes a nap," granddaughter Tammy Modlin Gentry told The Daily Meal.

Though Modlin has never smoked or boozed, some of her other longevity secrets include cardiovascular exercise and a wholesome diet fresh from her very own garden.

"Until she was 86, she would get on the floor and do her bicycle exercises daily," Gentry said. "She always ate healthy and for the longest time grew most of that food. Canning and freezing — a lost art."

The athleticism stemmed from years past, when young Modlin was an esteemed archer. She even made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the farthest arrow shot, according to Gentry.

When she wasn't breaking records, she was picking flowers in her garden to bring to church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. To this day, Modlin still attends mass and prayer meetings.

But she isn't the only one in the family who's celebrated over 100 birthdays. Brother Jake Hardesty is a mere year younger, and Gentry says, "They are still going strong." When Modlin turned 100, her family flew in the then 99-year-old brother from his residence in Texas to join in the festivities.

"Our family is blessed to have her, and we cherish the memories and moments with her," Gentry said. "Grandma is a God-fearing woman, who always says that you don't always get what you want, but you get what you need."

And she's right about dark chocolate. The delicious snack provides a variety of health benefits including lower cholesterol, a decreased risk for cancer, and heart disease prevention. Still not convinced? Check out this list of 20 reasons you should eat dark chocolate every day.