Top 5 nutrient-rich foods to promote longevity

(NaturalNews) Most people who watch the news or read the paper are aware that there are a lot of health problems inherent in eating a typical American diet. Our "fast food nation" today faces an ever-growing epidemic of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer. This problem is largely due to the country's reliance on processed or fast foods which are high in trans fats, sodium, and empty calories but poor on fiber, vitamins, and minerals and other nutrients that the body needs for health. However, there is a flip side to this coin. While some dietary practices can shorten life and lead to disease, other practices can promote long and healthy lives. This article takes a look at five different foods that are rich in vital nutrients and that can help to promote the longevity of the body and its overall health and well-being.

Fruits and veggies

Increasingly, nutritionists and dieticians are advising that people fill up on fruits and veggies. As a matter of fact, many dieticians now believe that around half of the plate at any given meal should be taken up with vegetables and fruits. A recent large-scale survey in the U.K. found that those who had at least seven servings of these foods a day lowered their risk of death from all causes by 42 percent.

High fiber foods

Whole grain products like whole grain breads and pastas and oatmeal are also great foods to promote longevity. High fiber foods help to clean the arteries of cholesterol (thus reducing the chances of heart attacks and strokes) and improve the digestive system, greatly reducing the chances of illnesses like colon cancer.

Nuts and legumes

Nuts and legumes (including peas, beans and lentils) are another group of foods that can play an important role in long-term health. For one thing, they are an important source of plant-based protein (since avoiding overconsumption of meat is another way to promote bodily health) and in the case of nuts, they are loaded with healthy, monounsaturated fats that have been shown to promote heart health and reduce inflammation.

High potassium foods

One of the most important things potassium does in the body is to counteract the effects of sodium and to help with things like lowering the blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major problem in this country and is also a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Eating foods like bananas, avocados and spinach can ensure that potassium levels are adequate for health.

Tea

Before reaching for that cup of java, consider brewing up a nice cup of tea instead. Black and green teas are still caffeinated to give a needed boost of energy, but they are also rich in tannins, catechins and other bio-active compounds that have been shown to strengthen immunity and even reduce the risk of cancer development.

So consider making the changes in the diet suggested above. The foods mentioned in this article have been clinically proven to help reduce the chance of many serious chronic conditions like heart disease, while at the same time promoting longevity and overall health, leading to an improvement in both quality and quantity of life.

Sources:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu

http://www.helpguide.org

http://www.health.harvard.edu

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

http://healthland.time.com

About the author:
Sandeep has written many health field articles for both Internet and print publication. He currently writing for insurancetips4u.co.

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