While many people have sought the fountain of eternal youth to drink from, they have not realized that it is within reach every day – and not hard to access either. Our daily food supply holds the secret to promoting longevity. That is, fresh fruit and vegetables rather than junk food, processed food and food that is cooked at high temperatures for a long time.
Simply by eating raw or lightly steamed vegetables and plenty of fruit, berries and nuts we can give our body the materials needed to enhance health and thus promote longer life. Foods that are as close as possible to the way Mother Nature provided them have the most nutrients. And the best time to consume them is as soon after harvesting as possible, that’s why it is good to grow at least some of your own vegetables and fruit.
Some people consider tomatoes to be amongst the good foods that promote longevity due to their high levels of lycopene, a strong antioxidant. While they do have many healthy properties, they are also a member of the nightshade family and so may cause joint pain and stiffness.
The main bad guys as far as our health goes are free radicals, which we all have through exposure to our environment and from eating junk food and foods with a high sugar content. Antioxidants quickly get to work to mop up all those free radicals and repair the damage they do. Whole grains are some of the most important sources of antioxidants. So oatmeal, all bran and whole grain bread are good for us. They also contain anti-cancer agents.
Fish is an important source of Omega-3 fatty acids – the good fats – without which the human body cannot exist. Salmon, herrings, sardines, mackerel and tuna are all important foods for longevity. At least two servings of fatty fish per week are needed. Omega-3 fatty acid does not clog your arteries – rather, it helps to clean them out. It also helps prevent joint inflammation.
Nuts are another food that helps to prevent early demise. The fats in nuts are mostly monounsaturated or omega-3. They help to prevent irregular heartbeat and heart attacks. In fact, a Harvard University study has shown that 5 ounces of nuts per week cut heart attack deaths in women by 40%. Unsalted nuts are best, of course.
Berries such as blueberries and blackberries contain very high levels of antioxidants. They work particularly to restore failing memory that is due to aging. Garlic is another powerful food for longevity with cancer and heart-disease-fighting properties. It is also good for other aging problems.
Next in line to garlic is spinach. Not only is it high in antioxidants, but also it has lots of folic acid that helps to fight off heart disease and cancer, helps aging brains and mental disorders.
For tea-lovers there is good news, as both black and green tea contain antioxidants. But be sure to brew it fresh and stay away from purchased iced or bottled tea that contain only minimal amounts of antioxidants. And when using oil for cooking, choose olive oil that has lots of antioxidants, unlike other types of oils.