Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-renowned ethologist and conservationist, lived a life that exemplified vitality, purpose, and a deep connection to the world around her. Her journey, spanning 91 years, offers invaluable insights into the lifestyle factors that contribute to a long, healthy, and cognitively sharp life. This article explores the key elements of Goodall's diet and lifestyle, highlighting the science-backed habits that likely contributed to her remarkable longevity and sound mind.
Plant-Based Diet: Fueling a Life of Purpose
In a 2017 personal essay, Goodall urged people to stop eating meat and shared that she herself had given it up decades earlier. "I stopped eating meat some 50 years ago when I looked at the pork chop on my plate and thought: this represents fear, pain, death. That did it, and I went plant-based instantly," she wrote. She added that she "immediately felt better, lighter" once she stopped eating meat.
Goodall's dietary choices were rooted in ethical considerations. In an interview published in February, Goodall told The National that she went vegan for "ethical reasons" but soon "realised the other benefits to our health." She observed that "Our gut is not made to eat heavy meat and we can get lots of digestive problems," and emphasized the ethical concerns surrounding factory farming, stating, "Now we also know that animals in these horrible factory farms are intelligent and how they are cooped up is absolutely terrible."
Goodall welcomed the shift toward plant-based eating, stating, "I'm vegan and I'm fit as a fiddle," and affirming that "A plant-based diet is really, really important and, luckily, more and more people are becoming vegetarian or even vegan."
The scientific community has increasingly recognized the benefits of plant-centric eating for both physical and cognitive health. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation, both of which are implicated in cognitive decline. According to the Good Food Institute, a shift to plant-based proteins could free up as much land as the size of China and India combined. Prioritizing plant-based protein would also free up Earth's freshwater.
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The Importance of Reducing Meat Consumption
Goodall advocated for reducing or eliminating meat consumption due to its ethical, environmental, and health implications. She highlighted the cruelty suffered by animals in factory farms, the environmental damage caused by the meat production industry, and the potential health risks associated with excessive meat consumption.
She told The Cut that she doesn't "get stressed very often.""I'm able to concentrate on what's happening right now. If one's calm, then it's easier to deal with whatever the problem is. I don't consider my life stressful, although there are times when it is," Goodall said.
Lifelong Learning and Mental Engagement
Goodall’s insatiable curiosity and her commitment to lifelong learning likely played a crucial role in maintaining her cognitive health. Her regular travels and engagement with new cultures and ideas provided constant mental stimulation, which is essential for building cognitive reserve.
"I don't think there's a favorite part of aging, quite honestly. But I suppose, OK, if you look at it philosophically, the longer you live, the more you learn, and I don't like a day that I don't learn something. Even a little thing," Goodall told Cooper on "Call Her Daddy." Goodall added that aging has given her a chance to deepen her understanding of the world. "And the other thing is, you know, when you get older, you learn - well, I do. You learn more about what's going on in the rest of the world and how to interact with people," Goodall said.
Exposing yourself to new experiences can keep your mind sharp, Jason Shepherd, an associate professor of neurobiology at the University of Utah, told Business Insider in 2023. "I think a lot of us get into routines and habits where we're doing the same old thing each day," Shepherd said.
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Physical Activity and Connection to Nature
Physical activity was a constant in Goodall’s life, from her early days trekking through the forests of Tanzania to her more recent years of global travel. This commitment to an active lifestyle is a well-established factor in promoting longevity. As a Vanderbilt University study highlights, even 15 minutes of fast walking per day can reduce mortality risk by up to 20%. Regular physical activity, like that practiced by Goodall, enhances cardiovascular health, which is directly linked to brain health.
Goodall’s profound connection with the natural world was also a significant contributor to her well-being. Spending time outdoors, a practice now known as “forest bathing” or “shinrin-yoku,” has been shown to have numerous health benefits. Studies indicate that exposure to green spaces is associated with lower mortality, reduced stress, and improved mental health.
"A happy day for me is if I can be out in nature somewhere," Goodall told Reader's Digest in a 2024 interview. She tries to look for pockets of nature even when in a city, she said: "If I go to a hotel and there's one tree, I will sometimes move my bed around so I can just be there and see the tree."
Sense of Purpose and Stress Management
Goodall’s life was driven by a powerful sense of purpose, a factor increasingly recognized by science as a cornerstone of longevity and cognitive resilience. Her mission, which evolved from primate research to conservation advocacy, kept her mentally engaged and motivated. Research from UC Davis corroborates this, showing that a strong sense of purpose can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment by as much as 28%.
In addition to her dietary choices, Goodall cultivated a remarkable sense of calm, a skill she honed during her years of patient observation in the wild. This ability to manage stress through mindfulness and meditation is a potent anti-aging strategy. Chronic stress is a known contributor to accelerated aging, impacting everything from cardiovascular health to immune function.
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Longevity researchers who have spoken to over 1,000 centenarians told Business Insider in 2023 that most centenarians they studied avoid worrying about things beyond their control. "Many centenarians are very focused on things that they have control over, but not very stressed about things out of their control," Ben Meyers, the CEO of LongeviQuest, an organization that maintains a database of the world's oldest people, said.
Social Connections and Compassion
Throughout her life, Jane Goodall nurtured strong social connections, from her family and colleagues to the global community of her Roots & Shoots program. The importance of these social bonds for health and longevity cannot be overstated. An analysis of 148 studies showed that strong social relationships are linked to a 50% lower risk of death.
Goodall’s life was defined by her deep compassion for all living beings. Her empathy for animals, which was once considered unscientific, is now understood to be a profound source of joy and well-being. The companionship of animals has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reduced stress and improved cardiovascular health.