1550
Luigi Cornaro – autobiographical account Discourses on a sober and temperate life. His Discourses recounted a man, whose indulgencies had lead to extreme ill health by the age of forty. "Warned by physicians that he would have to trim his sails or die, Cornaro immediately converted to a programme of extreme moderation, allowing himself only twelve ounces of food and fourteen ounces of wine daily." According to Cornaro, abstinence relieved him of his ailments and renewed his vitality. He began writing Discourses when he was 83. They were completed when he was in his nineties. This "proven success story" of moderation was to influence nineteenth century proponents of temperance and the goal of increasing longevity pervades much of today's dietary advice.
Whorton, J. (1982) Crusaders for fitness: the history of American health reformers. Princeton University Press. USA
According to Cornaro, abstinence relieved him of his ailments and renewed his vitality. He began writing Discourses when he was 83. They were completed when he was in his nineties. This "proven success story" of moderation was to influence nineteenth century proponents of temperance and the goal of increasing longevity pervades much of today's dietary advice.