10 Best Scientifically Approved Foods to Increase Longevity of Life
Do you know what is the biggest irony of life? “Nobody wants to die besides knowing that it’s the truth of life.” However, thousands of people are dying everyday across the world. The United States ranks first for having nearly 121.5 million cardio patients and second for being home to around 70 million obese people (58 million men & women and 22 million adults). Over 100 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes and 103 million suffer from high blood pressure. These figures are showing that the USA is growing, but, unhealthy population, which is supposed to surge in the forthcoming years. This can be linked to today’s desk-bound lifestyle that we are part of.
Late night fuel consumption, excessive screen usage, skipping meals due to workload, mental pressure and restoring junk foods after hours of starvation as if there is no tomorrow – all these factors are constantly affecting our lifestyle and developing such diseases that our grandparents probably never heard about.
While none of us is immortal and all will have to die, you can add some extra years to your life by making a few changes to your lifestyle and what you eat. To increase the longevity of life as well as improving the quality of living, we’ve rolled out the 10 best scientifically proven foods to increase longevity of life. Let’s find “Ambrosia.”
1. Figs/Anjeer
Usually consumed as dry fruits or in forms of Barfi, this healthy fruit contains lots of essential vitamins & minerals. From potassium, vitamin A, C and K, copper, iron to zinc and manganese, it has got all the essential nutritions. The potassium in figs has plenty of benefits. Other than helps in maintaining blood pressure, it improves the overall digestion system. The dietary fiber content present in figs keeps your stomach filled for hours and prevents unhealthy and unwanted cravings for food. And the fatty acids such as omega 6, omega 3 and phenol minimize the risk of chronic heart diseases and add a few extra years to your life while an estimated 17.9 million people die every year due to Cardiovascular diseases.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables come with a unique ability to modify human hormones, boost the body’s natural detoxification system and halt the growth of cancerous cells. You can either chew Cruciferous vegetables thoroughly, eat, prepare juice or blend to release & activate potent anti-cancer properties.
These vegetables are rich in ‘Cruciferous phytochemical sulforaphane’ that is thought to protect blood vessel walls from inflammatory signaling that may lead to serious heart diseases. These vegetables are – broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, or cabbage.
3. Green Salad
Raw leafy green vegetables, including some cruciferous vegetables are just perfect for weight loss. One pound green salad contains only 100 calories, so you can pack your lunch box to the top without worrying about weight gain. Apart from controlling your weight, green salad, raw vegetables and leafy greens are associated with lower risk of heart diseases, stroke, diabetes and several types of cancers.
You can add kale, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, or lettuce to your plate that are rich in vitamin-B folate, lutein and zeaxanthin that is very helpful for eyes.
4. Nuts
Full of healthy fats & nutrition, plant protein, fiber, antioxidants, phytosterol, minerals & vitamins, nuts are just perfect for every meal that helps to minimize the glycemic load of a whole meal and craving as well. If you eat nuts everyday, it’ll lower the risk of heart diseases. So, you can double the vitamins and nutritions by topping your next green salad with walnuts and chopped almonds or blend a handful of nuts with your morning milkshake.
5. Seeds
Nuts & seeds are not different when it comes to measuring nutrition level, healthy fats and minerals. Though the seeds are much better and provide more protein and trace material than nuts. Flax Chia, and hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fats and lignans that reduces the risk of breast cancer and other heart diseases. Similar to Chia seeds, sesame seeds are rich in calcium, vitamin E & B and pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc. To gain the maximum benefits, seeds and nuts should be eaten raw or lightly roasted.
6. Berries
These little red cherished fruits are rich in antioxidants and are very heart healthy. According to a survey in which the participants ate blueberries & strawberries in their breakfast reported better blood pressure, mood and improved LLD cholesterol. Berries have anti-cancer properties and are good for brain health as well. There is evidence that consuming berries everyday can prevent cognitive decline with aging. You can either stick to traditional berries or try something new such as goji berries.
7. Green Tea
If you want to live longer, better start your day with a cup of green tea. It is perhaps the healthiest beverage loaded with plenty of nutrient benefits, antioxidants. Green tea offers several health benefits if consumed regularly. Consumed as a popular fat burning supplement, this Body & mind refreshing beverage, green tea burns the body fat and accelerates the metabolism of the body. Some studies have suggested that green tea helps in fighting cancer by interrupting the growth of cancer cells.
8. Spirulina
A type of cyanobacteria belongs to the family of blue-green algae, this spice plant Spirulina comes packed with lots of nutrients such as protein, vitamin, iron, copper and zinc. The antioxidant present in spirulina is called ‘phycocyanin’ that is responsible for its green-blue color. It can fight against radicals and also provide anti-inflammatory effects to any type of burns. Some studies have suggested, spirulina helps in treating people with common allergies, including sneezing, itching, congestion or nasal discharge in high summers. Consuming a certain dose of this supplement can provide amazing health benefits and promote a healthy disease-free life.
9. Curcumin
It is the yellow pigment found in turmeric, which is immensely beneficial for your health . Curcumin is perhaps the most health beneficial supplement that promotes healthy living. It offers great anti-inflammatory properties and boosts the production of antioxidants in a human body. This yellow pigment reduces the production of ROS while protecting the cerebrovascular endothelium against dysfunction. In addition to this, it significantly slows the aging process in the human body.
10. Garlic
Some studies have found that garlic contains some amazing medicinal properties that can reduce blood pressure, bring down cholesterol levels and even lower the symptoms of body pain and common cold & flu. Experts recommend consuming two raw cloves of garlic everyday in the morning results in a long life.
Though, these foods won’t make you immortal, but can surely grant some extra years to see your dreams come true. Along with formulating your empire, you should pay attention to your lifestyle because it’s what matters at the end. What other health tips do you want? From foods that improve your immune system to effective ways to control diabetes, we’ve got everything covered for you.