Bollywood actor Imran Khan, 43, says he follows two habits to be fit. One of them can delay ageing, reduce risk of heart disease, says science

Imran Khan is back in the headlines. But not for a new film. The Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na star has been ordered to leave India by the end of October. According to a PTI report, the Mumbai Police issued a notice to Khan, who is an American citizen, to leave India by October 28 for alleged violation of provisions of the Immigration Act. This development occurred as a reaction to the Ek Main Aur Ek Tu actor’s participation in an agitation that took place at Kranti Maidan on October 10, where people demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The actor was detained during the demonstration for some time.

Once considered a heartthrob in India, Khan made his Bollywood debut with the 2008 romantic comedy Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na opposite Genelia D’Souza. Aside from making a name for himself with romantic films such as Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, etc., the actor was also known for his lean look. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor revealed how he remained fit. He revealed that with age, his attitude to fitness also underwent a huge transformation. In his 20s and 30s, he prioritised muscle building and relied on supplements such as creatine and glutamine along with weight training. At 43, his priority has shifted to long-term fitness and mobility.

The Non-Negotiables

The Delhi Belly star said sleep and hydration are non-negotiable for him. He also takes a lot of supplements, such as fish oil, multivitamins, retinol, and hydrating serums. The actor also said he spends a lot of time close to nature at his farmhouse, where he relaxes in a small cabin he has built. There is also a shelter for cats and dogs.

The Journey To Self-Acceptance

In a 2023 Instagram post, the actor revealed he had always been skinny and blessed with a high amount of metabolism and a naturally lean physique. In his debut film, he did not need to build up bulk, as he was playing a college lad, but he was told to build muscle for the action drama Kidnap. This led him to become a workout junkie, and over the next few years, he developed a very strict diet and workout regimen.

He ate a high-protein diet consisting of chicken breast, egg whites, sweet potato, oats, and flax seeds, as well as supplements such as protein, creatine, leucine, glutamine, L-carnitine... and ultimately, even anabolic steroids, and he was still not developing biceps. He revealed how he became a laughingstock and was mocked for not looking sculpted and bulky.

“I worked out regularly, but still I would hear, 'So... you'll bulk up a bit before we start shooting, right? '' You're looking weak.' 'You look like a little boy, not a man,' and 'The heroine looks bigger than you' (ouch for both of us!).” he wrote.

He revealed that during a difficult period marked by depression, he gave up exercising and became quite thin, and pictures of him circulated on social media, and rumours of him engaging in drug use spread like wildfire. The attention left him feeling humiliated and uncomfortable about being seen in public, prompting him to withdraw further.

However, Khan said that rebuilding his health has been a gradual process and that he is now doing better than ever. He has resumed exercising with his long-time friend and trainer, Toka, who prioritises his overall well-being and encourages him to focus on natural food sources such as walnuts and turmeric rather than relying heavily on supplements. Although he still occasionally envies men with superhero-like physiques, Khan explained that he no longer feels inadequate about his own appearance.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had sought action against him, welcomed the police notice. Somaiya had urged Mumbai police to act against Imran Khan for joining a protest here in support of the Cockroach Janta Party despite being a “foreign citizen" and sought clarity on whether he can participate in such agitations. Somaiya alleged he was born and educated in the US but earned his livelihood in India while "participating in political and diplomatic activities opposing the government.”

The actor was unavailable for a response, although in a video that went viral on social media, the actor claimed while being escorted to a police vehicle that he had no demands and was not part of any organisation.

How Proper Hydration Delays Ageing

According to a new study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), middle-aged people with higher sodium-to-water levels in their blood tended to age faster – they also developed chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and dementia etc. Research has indicated that inadequate hydration may speed up biological aging, meaning the body could show signs of aging beyond what would be expected based on chronological age, which refers to the number of years a person has lived since birth.

People who live in the Blue Zones such as Sardinia, Italy and Okinawa, Japan home to the longest-living people (who live up to 100), drink at least seven glasses of water per day.