One of the greatest things you can do for your health takes about half a second. If that’s not incentive, what is? Taking 162 milligrams of aspirin a day (that’s two baby aspirin or half a regular) with a half glass of warm water before and after may decrease the risk of colon cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. And it probably lowers the risk of stomach, throat, and several other cancers. Aspirin does this by reducing inflammation throughout the body, although other mechanisms may be involved as well.

"We know aspirin has side effects," say Drs. Roizen and Oz, "but the benefits -- a younger arterial system and a decreased risk of at least four 'big' cancers -- often outweigh the risks." So talk with your doc about whether aspirin is right for you.