People with quick reaction times live longer

Researchers from Edinburg and the UK Medical Research Council, publishing in the journal Intelligence, studied 7400 people. They found that those with the slowest reaction times were more than twice as likely to die prematurely.

The scientists think that quick reaction times are a sign of intelligence, which is generally linked to healthier lifestyles.

Reaction times were taken using a computer programme during the 1980s along with range of other factors including alcohol intake, smoking habits, blood pressure and weight. The average age of those studied was 46.

The participants were then followed up 20 years later by which point nearly 1300 had died. Only smoking, which made an early death three times more likely, was reported to be a greater indicator.

The lead author said that people with higher intelligence tend to be better educated and work in occupations where resources and workplace practices are conducive to a better lifestyle. They are also less likely to smoke and generally eat better.

Researchers also said the implications could go back to birth with quicker reactions being a marker for a healthy body.