7 Foods to Help You Live Longer ...

Okay, so this one probably didn’t surprise you, but fruit is essential to a long life. Currently, it’s thought that people who consume a variety of fruits on a regular basis will long outlive those who don’t, simply due to the fresh nutrients that fruit contains. It’s especially worth opting for bright colored fruits, too, as the same pigments that give them their bright shade is thought to protect from cancer. Fruit is one of the best foods to help you live longer, and there’s a huge variety to choose from.

I love sweet potatoes They taste great with stews and curries, and are often a lighter choice than traditional carbohydrates like roast potatoes. You can be sure that they’ll benefit you, too – people who live in Okinawa, Japan, have the world’s longest life expectancy and lowest cancer and heart disease rates due to their huge consumption of the veg.

As you’ve probably guessed, this isn’t a packet of maltesers or a big slap of Dairy Milk! Dark chocolate is packed full of antioxidants that it can be very difficult to get elsewhere, and they cut your risk of heart disease right down. The oldest woman in the world, who reached 122 years and 164 days, put her long life down to a square of dark chocolate a day.

Oily fish is more than just a great picnic food. Salmon, mackerel and trout are renowned for their health benefits, and by swapping red meat for a portion of fish, you reduce your risk of bowel cancer and heart disease too. Frozen and fresh oily fish is a great source of vitamins A and D, which boost the immune system, and fatty acids that reduce the risk of brain damage, stroke and heart disease.

Have you tried green tea yet? While it was thought that green tea was a health food phase, it seems it’ll stick around thanks to it’s impressive health benefits. The tea has been proven to regulate blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and boost the immune system, along with improving cardiovascular health. Some studies have even linked green tea with reducing the chance of cancer.

That Mediterranean diet just keeps being proved the best. It’s a good monounsaturated fat that cuts the risk of stroke and heart disease, and olive oil is packed with antioxidants and micro nutrients too. People following an olive oil-dominated diet are said to live up to 20% longer than those who don’t, so it’s a great diet to try!

Broccoli is one food that really deserves it’s title as a super food. It’s packed with Vitamin C, fibre, calcium and antioxidants, and it’s a powerful anti-carcinogen. It’s also been proven to prevent arthritis, ulcers, viruses, cataracts and heart disease. Wow!

How many of these great foods to help you live longer do you consume regularly? I’ll be upping my broccoli intake from now on, and I’m on the hunt for a gorgeous fruit bowl to display plenty of colorful offerings – and dark chocolate will definitely be hitting my fridge. Will you be making any changes? I’d love to hear them!