10 Foods to Promote Longevity

April 25th, 2012 · 2 Comments · Healthy Living

Hanna loved the quote, “The road to health goes through the kitchen, not the drug store” and we hope you agree! Aside from benefits to the healthy function of our system, our foods can heal our bodies, reverse damage in the system, and function as a preventative therapy, aiding in our chances of longevity. Food can help you live longer. it’s true! Here we share 10 foods that promote longevity.

  1. Greens: With folate, calcium, and other nutrients that prevent age-related eye problems, protect
    Blueberries are full of antioxidants and are great for the brain.

    Blueberries are full of antioxidants and are great for the brain.

    against the decline of cognitive functions, and keep our bones strong this group of chlorophyll-filled foods provide a powerful boost to the body. Diets that are high in cruciferous veggies (like broccoli, cabbage, kale, or spinach) help reduce the risk of memory loss and cancer as well. To incorporate more of this group into your diet, consider adding a cruciferous green to every stew, soup, salad, or stir-fry you make.

  2. Whole Grains: Brown rice, quinoa, barley, oatmeal, and millet are examples of this fiber rich group. These grains contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can lower the risk of age-related illnesses like cardiovascular disease and cancer. Added bonus-because they are digested slower than processed grains, whole grains may also help prevent high blood sugar and diabetes. Try switching your breakfast to a bowl of oatmeal (not the single packet variety) and incorporate these grains into lunches and dinner. Quinoa, for example, absorbs the flavor of any sauce and makes an excellent and healthy side-dish for dinner with lean meats or vegetables and can be easily seasoned to top a salad!
  3. Berries: Now that warmer weather is upon us we’re looking forward to a fresh variety of berries at our local markets though organic, frozen berries are a great choice year-round. Berries are rich in anthocyanins, a potent antioxidant compound that has been shown to slow the growth of certain cancers, tone muscles, promote balance, and improve brain function.
  4. Healthy Oils: Olive oil is a prominent fixture in the diet of Mediterranean’s who have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, age-related cognitive decline, and caner than the typical American diet. It may seem that oils wouldn’t be in the list of 10 foods for longevity but because they are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, healthy oils promote healthy living (just don’t start frying with them! Instead use them cold in salad dressings or as a dip for bread).
  5. Tomatoes: For the most potent punch of lycopene, the antioxidant compound found in tomatoes, enjoy them cooked rather than raw. The cooking process concentrates this compound and provides an improvement in its ability to maintain youthful skin texture, reduce the risk of heart disease, and reduce the risk of some (prostate, lung, stomach) cancers. Please not that recent research has indicated that canned tomatoes may do more harm than good due to the acids in the fruit breaking down the cans that house them. Consider cooking your own tomatoes (you’ll know exactly what went into them) or purchasing tomatoes packaged in BPA free containers if you’re concerned.
  6. Nuts: Easing inflammation, providing healthy fats to the body, protein for brain and heart health,
    Teas are a wonderful way to promote health and hydration and are listed as a top 10 food for longevity.

    Teas are a wonderful way to promote health and hydration and are listed as a top 10 food for longevity.

    and a range of vitamins and minerals make nuts a fantastic snack. Eating a quarter to a half cup of nuts four or five times a week will provide these benefits, especially when almonds or walnuts are the nut your choose. Crazy about peanuts? Sorry, those are not true nuts; they’re legumes.
  7. Red Grapes: Resveratrol can be found in these juicy little fruits and have been linked to extending the lives of lab animals, promoting heart health, improving the condition of skin, and reducing inflammation. Eating grapes, drinking red wine in moderation, and enjoying a glass of purple (natural, organic) grape juice can provide these benefits. You can also try them in a capsule! Learn more about Kroeger’s powerful combination, Resveratrol Six, in this post.
  8. Fish: People who eat several weekly servings of omega-3 rich fish have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Omega-3s combat inflammation in the body and provide a number of benefits, learn more about them here. If it seems too expensive to eat fish several times a week consider cheaper options like canned sardines or white fish. Learn more about the benefits of Omegas here.
  9. Tea: White and green tea are linked to numerous studies that have proven their consumption leads to lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease but the benefits of tea expand nearly every herbal and natural variety. For the greatest benefit aim to drink up to four cups of tea daily and avoid adding milk to your cup as it may reduce the tea’s antioxidant activity. Check out our extensive selection of Hanna’s teas here.
  10. Herbs and Spices: We’ve saved the best for last. The list of beneficial additions from your spice rack is a long one. From turmeric and ginger for their anti-inflammatory compounds to cinnamon lowering blood sugar and garlic supporting heart health, your spice cabinet acts as a medicine cabinet! Get into the habit of seasoning foods liberally with herbs and spices and try them in supplement form as well. Want to learn more? Click here to learn about garlic and heart health, this link for turmeric’s benefits to the body, and here to learn more about cinnamon and your health.

Hanna believed greatly that we should use our kitchens as our personal pharmacy and created products using herbs and spices of the highest quality. We’re proud to continue Hanna’s work in this way and offer the finest selection in her products as well as her books that explain more about this philosophy.

There’s no magic pill for longevity but through a diet rich in these foods that promote longevity, you can promote the health of your body deliciously.

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