Most of us eat foods that contain lots of fat, sugar, and highly refined flour products in their varieties. The food we eat is what our body is made up of, it’s high time we make our pantry and fridge filled with living foods in other for our bodies to be nourished and not malnourished.
As agrarian culture, many of our grandparents lived and ate organically and much closer to nature, but today our lifestyle is much too stressed and fats paced thereby affecting our diet and nutrition.
When our dietary choices which were designed to nourish and sustain our bodies begin to make us ill, then we need to change the way we approach diet. Evidences showed that diet is the most important contributor to longevity and vital health.
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said, “Our food should be our medicine, and our medicine should be our food”. What we eat should be capable of healing and restoring our bodies system. Let us discover world of healthy, living foods for healing and total balance of the body.
1. Fruits and vegetables:
Fruits and vegetables are the main sources of phytonutrients, they are relatively low in calories and packed with fiber and nutrients. Phytonutrients provide the needed antioxidants which help to combat different cancers, heart diseases, slow the progression of dementia and age related cognitive decline. Studies consistently show that diets abundant in fruits and vegetables help people maintain a healthy weight and protect against cardiovascular disease. Dark green leafy vegetables like collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of calcium. Fruits and vegetables are the best medicine.
2. Whole grains:
Whole grains are stable fiber-rich grain products, pack with a lot of nutrition into a low-calorie package. Grains products sprouted grain breads, brown rice, whole grain pastas and whole grain cereals are good for the body. Whole grains like oats and barley are also rich in a long list of disease-fighting compounds. Diets which included plenty of whole grains and fruit helps to cut heart disease risk by almost half compared to whose diets of a lot of meat and fatty foods. Whole grains protect an individual against type 2 diabetes, a disease that increases the danger of heart disease.
3. Nuts:
Nuts are rich in proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals and essential oils. Nuts were believed to contain a lot of fat. They do but the fat they contain is mostly unsaturated, which helps to protect against heart disease. Consuming varieties of nuts is very good for total health. They contain vitamin E, a nutrient which helps to improve the condition and appearance of your skin. They’re a rich source of fiber and make a useful contribution of minerals including magnesium, calcium and potassium.
4. Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich fruits:
Foods high in antioxidants, including blueberries, grape juice, and walnuts, protect against age-related changes in the brain that lead to memory loss and dementia. Antioxidants protect the skin against excessive amount of ultraviolent rays and a whole lot of diseases.
5. Organic, free-range and wild caught Fish:
Organic fish are high in omega-3 fats, fish and shellfish have been shown to protect against irregular heart rhythms than can lead to heart failure. New evidence suggests that in addition to heart protection, the fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, found in fish oil (and ALA found in flaxseed) may offer a defense against depression and age-related memory loss.
6. Low-salt foods:
Less salt in the diet means lower blood pressure, new evidence suggests that keeping blood pressure down may also protect brain cells and decrease the risk of age-related memory loss. Too much salt causes High blood pressure, too much of this can damage the vasculature that supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients, this explains why people with chronic hypertension seem to be at higher risk of developing age-related cognitive impairments.
7. Coffee:
A growing number of studies suggest that coffee has several surprising health benefits. In addition to potentially lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, drinking coffee may reduce the risk of age-related mental decline. It is found that people who regularly drank coffee during their middle-aged years were significantly less likely to suffer dementia and Alzheimer disease later in life. Coffee has drudgery effect, in fact it’s a drug, so the consumption should be well monitored.
8. Low-fat dairy products:
The body needs Vitamin D in order to absorb calcium and adequate levels of protein are also necessary to keep bones strong. For that reason, dairy products like milk and yogurt are the best sources of calcium because they contain the full array of nutrients needed for healthy bones. Tofu is a good source of Calcium. Although many foods are fortified with Vitamin D, diet alone isn’t able to provide enough. Our skin converts sunlight to vitamin D; but with age, that process becomes less efficient. During the winter months in most parts of the United States, the sun is too weak to generate Vitamin D production, so it is necessary to eat food rich in vitamin D daily to get the required amount.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for longevity, and certain foods have been shown to have beneficial effects on lifespan. Incorporating these eight foods into your diet can help you live a longer and healthier life.
While these foods offer numerous health benefits, it’s important to remember that overall dietary patterns and a balanced lifestyle are crucial for optimal health and longevity. It’s recommended to incorporate a variety of nutrient-dense foods, engage in regular physical activity, manage stress levels, and avoid unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
By making conscious choices and prioritizing these longevity-promoting foods, you can take a significant step towards living a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
