'I'm 100 and this vegetable is the secret to my long life' says retired teacher

A retired teacher has marked his 100th birthday by revealing his secret to a long life - eating beetroot. Albert Stiles celebrated his milestone birthday with a traditional cake, balloons and cards at his Care UK Trymview Hall residential home in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, surrounded by friends and staff.

But the widower also shared his unusual savoury secret to longevity, having regularly enjoyed dishes packed with the superfood since he was a child. The care home's head chef Darren Nelson whipped up a special vegetable dish for Albert's big day too- a beetroot and goats cheese terrine with candied walnuts and crispy sage.

"I've loved beetroot from a young age and have always eaten it frequently," Albert told "My mum was Indian and used to make lots of beetroot curries, though I also enjoy eating it in the more traditional way … cold with mashed potato!

"I also love eating beetroot in creamy sauce but I really enjoyed Darren's beetroot terrine - that is a new dish." Reflecting on the years gone by, Albert added: "Living a wholesome life by eating beetroot must have helped! "Living a wholesome life by eating beetroot must have helped!"

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Beetroot is often praised as an impressive source of iron, potassium, fibre, manganese and vitamin C, as well as antioxidants like betalains and betacyanin. Betalains in particular - which give the vegetable its red colour - boast potential anti-inflammatory properties, according to .

Albert's 100th birthday was made unforgettable by the staff at Trymview Hall, who organised a spectacular party for him, including a trip to Bristol Cathedral for a lunchtime recital where he was honoured as the guest of the day. Reflecting on reaching a century, Albert shared: "It doesn’t seem possible really. I thought when I retired at 50 years old that I may live to 70 years and a bit, but this feels very unreal to have made it to 100.

"I couldn’t think of a better place to spend my birthday than in the house of God listening to beautiful music."

Nicole Anderson, home manager at Trymview Hall, was delighted as well, adding: "We love to throw a party for special occasions at Trymview Hall – and Albert’s 100th birthday certainly called for a huge celebration. It was wonderful to see Albert surrounded by all his loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone.

"The team worked tirelessly to make sure his day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to raise a glass to Albert and the team at Bristol Cathedral for making Albert’s birthday truly one to remember!"

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