Average life expectancy is longer now than it was in the Victorian era, mainly due to a dramatic decrease in death among infants and children. Some people misinterpret the increase in life expectancy and think that prior to modern medicine, everyone died at a much younger age than they do now. A 2009 article in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explains why this is not correct.

To quote the article abstract:

Analysis of the mid-Victorian period in the U.K. reveals that life expectancy at age 5 was as good or better than exists today, and the incidence of degenerative disease was 10% of ours. Their levels of physical activity and hence calorific intakes were approximately twice ours. They had relatively little access to alcohol and tobacco; and due to their correspondingly high intake of fruits, whole grains, oily fish and vegetables, they consumed levels of micro- and phytonutrients at approximately ten times the levels considered normal today. This paper relates the nutritional status of the mid-Victorians to their freedom from degenerative disease; and extrapolates recommendations for the cost-effective improvement of public health today.

The article is freely available, and I found it to be a fascinating read. The practical implication of the paper: avoid processed foods, and eat your veggies.