old man
Representation image of an old man. S. Hermann & F. Richter /Pixabay

Australia’s oldest person alive is attributing his longevity to one delicacy -- chicken brains.

Dexter Kruger, who turned 111 years and 127 days old today, is Australia’s oldest man on record. He beat World War I veteran Jack Lockett’s record of 111 years and 123 days old when he died in 2002.

Kruger is a former veterinary surgeon who has spent much of his life in a Queensland outback. The former grazier tended to his 5,300-hectare cattle property until his mid-90s. He now lives in Pinaroo Roma aged care facility in Queensland.

Kruger attributes his long life to a simple life and a unique diet.

"Chicken brains," he told ABC.

"You know, chickens have a head and in that is some brains, and they are delicious little things. There's only one bite."

Kruger also said living close to nature and having a healthy lifestyle helped him live a long life. He exercises every day and takes on much-needed vitamin D from the outdoors.

"I lived very close to nature and I ate mostly what I grew in the garden or the orchard or the farm," he said.

His 74-year-old son also told ABC that his father always stayed active and was not much of a smoker or drinker.

Kruger was born on Jan. 13, 1910 and has survived world wars, depressions and pandemics. He is currently writing an autobiography about his over a century on earth.

At 111, Kruger is 7 years short of being the oldest person alive today. The recognition goes to Kane Tanaka from Fukuoka, Japan. Born in January 1903, she’s currently 118 years and 138 days old.

To keep her mind active, Kane studies math and plays board games.

The oldest person to have ever lived is Jeanne Calmet of France, who lived up to 122 years and 164 days before her death in 1997.