Cook More, Live Longer

A study from the National Institutes of Health found that people who cook at home live longer. Those who cooked meals for themselves five or more times per week were 47 percent more likely to be alive ten years later compared to people who did not cook at all.

More frequent cooking was associated with longer survival even in people who cooked at home fewer than five times per week and even after researchers adjusted the data for mental and physical function (the ability to grocery shop and cook) and knowledge of nutrition.

Reference: 

Chen, R. C., M. S. Lee, Y. H. Chang, and M. L. Wahlqvist. 2012. "Cooking frequency may enhance survival in Taiwanese elderly." Public Health Nutrition 15(7):1142-9.