According to the doctor, following a diet in the “blue zones” can increase your life expectancy up to 13 years.< /b>
While there are too many factors that affect your lifespan, eating healthy is a good start.
Thanks to the abundance of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants hidden in proper nutrition , some foods can add more than flavor and color to your daily life.
“We have known for decades that a healthy diet can positively impact longevity and health. A useful source of information are observations from regions around the world where people live the longest and healthiest, called the blue zones, and where the likelihood of reaching the age of 100 is higher than anywhere else in the world,” says dietitian Vasilisa Ponomareva specifically for MedicalForum.
From Okinawa to Sardinia and Nicoya to IkariaThe Blue Zones describe five places around the worldthat are characterized by high consumption of vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes.
People never dream of living to be 100
These nutrient-rich foods have been associated with a lower risk of longevity-threatening health problems, such as heart disease or stroke.
Though what they include is critical, foods avoided in the Blue Zones also play a role. People living in these countries “often do not eat much meat, dairy products, refined sugar and processed foods.”
“The Blue Zones have in common a diet that is predominantly or exclusively plant-based, with an emphasis on legumes as the main source of protein.” br>Recent studies have confirmed that switching to a more plant-based diet at any age is beneficial. The reason is that plant-based foods are full of health-promoting nutrients such as fiber, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, and hundreds of phytochemicals that work together to reduce the risk of chronic disease while promoting better health. intestines, reducing inflammation and improving glucose regulation.
MedicalForum has previously written about the dangers of night eating. Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.