Black Panther would be the healthiest superhero, if he were real

Researchers at the University of Queensland reviewed 25 most recent Marvel Cinematic Universe films, focusing on the health of the main characters. They looked at the kinds of activities the heroes routinely engaged in, as well as their personal history and any triggers in their past, such as surgery.

They found that some will fare better than others in old age, and that people like Iron Man and Black Panther benefit from their vast wealth and personal intelligence. The most important thing for the health of the Marvel elite is their ability to stay active and healthy, as well as the socialization that they can do within The Avengers . The problems stem from some of the things that give them their powers, like past trauma, or in Black Panther’s case, the substance that he uses to gain his power.

According tothe new study , regular physical activity and strong social ties are vital for heroes, as well as mere mortals. These positive behaviors can help reduce your risk of future health problems, such as dementia, heart disease, and chronic pain conditions. Since superheroes often derive their power from traumatic or unusual events, the researchers wanted to understand what impact this would have on their health.

They could be at risk for dementia

Since superheroes are likely to live longer than most people, it is interesting to reflect on their state of health and their associations with aging. Where you live and how much money you have can play a role in your long-term health outcomes.

The researchers assumed that heroes age and their aging trajectories are altered by personal traits in the same way as any “normal” person. The Marvel team also exhibits a high degree of social cohesion and connection in the movies. This is associated with a reduced risk of dementia and a positive or optimistic mindset. They also demonstrated psychological resilience and a sense of purpose. All of these factors have been associated with healthy aging.

However, they found that repeated exposure to loud noise, air pollution, and multiple head injuries increases the risk of any superhero suffering from dementia, physical injuries, and life-changing disabilities. And, with the exception of Thor and Iron Man, superheroes don’t drink much or smoke . Not smoking and avoiding drinking excess alcohol are behaviors associated with longer life and healthy aging, in both humans and superheroes.

Hulk would have heart problems

Additionally, the researchers examined the personal traits and health behaviors of five of the superheroes: Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther, and Spiderman. They found that both Black Panther and Iron Man are extremely wealthy and intelligent, putting them at reduced risk for dementia.

Black Panther is a vegetarian, something we know supports healthy aging. However, in direct contrast to Black Panther’s health, the Hulk has heart problems, a high body mass index, and the fact that he is always angry puts him at high risk for multiple chronic diseases in the future. Furthermore, Black Widow’s traumatic childhood experiences increase her risk of physical and mental illness as she ages.

And while Spiderman’s strength, flexibility, and agility should reduce his risk of falls in old age, his fight against nighttime crime means he’s unlikely to get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep for teens his age. This can lead to obesity, lower mental health, and higher rates of unintentional injury.

To date, the efforts of Marvel superheroes focus on such matters as maintaining the security of the multiverse, modulating human consciousness, creating artificial intelligence, and developing technology to facilitate space travel. The study researchers suggest that they change their approach to dealing with challenges, such as how to provide high-quality medical and social care in large aging populations and prevent frailty and dementia.