Many of us have become too accustomed to eating with our taste buds and we forget that food is an incredibly beneficial ally in our quest for health and longevity. What we put into our bodies affects everything from the size of our waistlines, the condition of our hearts, and yes, even how long we live.
Picture the soup a loved one brings you when you are sick, and you know that food really does have healing properties; making at least a dish a week from scratch using whole foods is a great start. Juicing is also an easy way to work in the nutritious foods. Colorful fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants that protect you from disease. Nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, high-quality lean meats: all are full of compounds that benefit your whole body.
Here is a list of easy items we can include into our diets:
Cranberries
These tart and somewhat bitter berries are good for you. Researchers found young fruit flies given cranberry extract lived 25% longer than those that weren’t. In even better news, middle-aged and older fruit flies lived 30% longer.
Green Tea
Besides boasting benefits like reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, the world’s second most popular beverage was shown to reduce risk of death by up to 26% for those who consumed several cups a day.
Mixed Nuts
People who snacked on a handful of nuts everyday were found to live longer than those who didn’t, according to a Harvard University study. An added bonus: they also lived healthier lives with a lower chance of developing cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease.
Salmon
Smoked, baked, on a bagel, or in your sushi, you’ll want to load up on the omega-3 rich fish. A diet rich in omega-3’s could help preserve your telomeres, and slow down the aging process according to an Ohio State University study. Telomeres are the ends of your chromosomes that shrink with age.
Blueberries
Often dubbed a “superfood” because of their high antioxidant levels, blueberries and other foods rich in polyphenols can extend your life. One study found that getting plenty of polyphenols in your diet can reduce your risk of death by 30%. The antioxidant has been shown to cut the risk of cancer diabetes also.
Whole Grains and Olive Oil
Like so many others, you’ve probably heard plenty about the Mediterranean Diet, but what you may not know is the heart-healthy diet has been shown to increase the lifespan of elderly people by about 20%. The diet encourages eating lots of vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains.
Wine
Just half a glass of wine a day can help you live longer, according to many studies. Researchers found light wine drinkers lives up to five years longer than those who did not drink at all and up to two and a half years longer than those who simply drank other types of alcohol. Red wine in particular is rich in antioxidants called ‘resveratrol’ that could help protect against heart disease.
For an appointment or consultation with Dr. Gary Bellman, please contact the office or call 818-912-1899