While many people today are looking for a magic formula to extend their lifespan, the thing they are looking for may be right under their noses. Choosing the best food to eat and making it life’s practice is a powerful step in the right direction toward increasing your longevity.
At the same time, there are also some foods that you need to eliminate – at least regularly. If eaten frequently, fast foods are slowly killing you, making it more unlikely that you will live to a ripe old age and retain your health. They are very convenient when you need something quick – but they come at a price.
If you intend to live longer and stay healthy, it is essential to eat a healthy diet. This one simple thing could mean an additional ten years to your life. Although you may not see an immediate benefit, those who start when they are younger will have the best advantage.
In areas of the world identified as Blue Zones, where many residents are 100 or older, people eat more natural foods. The Mediterranean diet would be very close to what they regularly eat. They focus on eating many fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains.
Although they do eat meat, they do not eat much of it. They eat poultry, fish, and eggs but not much red meat. Dairy products are not eaten often. These food groups provide them with the nutrients and vitamins needed for a healthy life.
On the other hand, processed foods and fast foods are overall unhealthy. Eating a lot of them can lead to health problems in any part of your body, and some of them can shorten your life. The problems resulting from eating a lot of fast food can include cardiovascular issues, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, shortness of breath, depression, dental problems, weight gain, and more.
Several foods are considered the unhealthiest. Eating them occasionally will not hurt you, but eating them very often will. They include hamburgers with french fries, hot dogs, pizza, cold-cut sandwiches, and fried foods. Of course, when you eat these foods, you will usually get a soda, which is loaded with sugar.
Consuming a lot of carbs can be a problem. When you eat a lot of carbs, your sugar levels will spike. After a while (years), your normal insulin levels will not respond as fast, and it will cause your sugar levels to remain higher than normal. It can lead to diabetes and weight gain. After the spike, you also will feel a loss of energy.
Adding more fiber to your diet is also necessary for better health. Fiber comes from vegetables and fruit. It can help to lower your cholesterol levels, control your blood sugar, enable you to maintain a healthy weight, help to keep your colon healthy, and aid in normalizing your bowel movements (prevents constipation). It also helps to protect your gut microbiota.
Here is another important detail about how some people in the Blue Zones eat. They do not eat until they cannot eat anymore. They will only eat about 80% of a plateful of food.
Besides eating healthy meals, you may gain additional health benefits by intermittent fasting. Going without a meal or more at various times also has health benefits and may increase longevity.
