It has never been more true: you are what you eat. But what should you eat? Every month, a new diet seems to be making headlines, and it has become difficult for people to navigate the flood of information about what is supposed to be good and bad for health.
If you are struggling to find guidance, remember that the best thing to do is to visit a specialized nutritionist. However, new studies seem to have finally agreed on what diet can boost physical health, mental well-being, and longevity. Discover the new findings below. Longevity Live Paid Content.
Looking Beyond Weight Loss: How Your Diet Impacts Every Aspect of Your Life
When thinking about dieting, the first thing that comes to mind is weight loss. And, indeed, an estimated 50% of the US population tries a new weight loss diet once a year. However, the diet you choose to follow can have a much broader impact on multiple aspects of your life, and not just on your weight.
For example, a diet rich in nutrients can improve your sleep quality and your ability to be productive at work. Even more importantly, a balanced eating pattern can improve your heart, brain, and reproductive health.
What’s more, your diet can impact your finances in several ways. For instance, eating healthily can keep at bay severe – and costly! — diseases and health conditions.
And, don’t forget that your health insurer will take into account your health status when offering a premium! For example, if you are looking to move to the UAE, most Dubai-based health insurance companies will look into lifestyle factors, pre-existing health conditions (including obesity and diabetes), and tobacco use when calculating your insurance cost.
Elements of a Longevity Diet
A 2022 study published in PLOS Medicine successfully estimated the impact of different food choices on life expectancy and suggested that adopting a longevity diet could increase life expectancy by 11-13 years if started early on.
But, even more importantly, those adopting this diet after 60 may be able to benefit from a life expectancy increase of nearly 8 years! Here’s how it works.
Increasing the Consumption of Whole Grains and Legumes
The study highlights that the greatest benefits are to be drawn from increasing the consumption of legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
These foods can lower blood pressure, decrease blood sugar, and deliver important antioxidants that play an important role in fighting aging and disease. What’s more, legumes and whole grains are fiber-rich, which can support digestive health.
Reducing the Intake of Red and Processed Meats
Another pillar of the longevity diet is the drastic reduction in the intake of meats, animal products, and processed foods. Over the past few years, studies reported by Harvard Health Publishing, have shown that plant-based diets are the most efficient at reducing cardiovascular disease and promoting longevity.
Photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash
Making More Space for Seasonal Fruit and Vegetables
While the new studies focus on the benefits of increasing the intake of legumes and whole grains, they also reiterate the importance of building a nutritional regime that is mostly based on natural, unprocessed, and seasonal produce. Continue integrating your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible!
Welcoming Periods of Fasting
While intermittent fasting has recently become a buzzword, fasting-mimicking practices and therapeutic fasting date back to the 5th century BC. According to new research, eating in windows of 11-12 hours and fasting for 12 hours can help lower inflammation levels, support cell regeneration, and lower cholesterol.
Living an Active Lifestyle
As we have seen above, your diet can improve your overall health. But the term “diet” should not be solely intended as a nutritional regime. Indeed, other aspects of your life contribute to your diet too!
For example, regular physical activity, connection to nature, and a balanced environment are just some aspects of your lifestyle that will influence your overall well-being and life expectancy.
A Diet Tailored to Your Unique Needs
While the longevity diet seems to offer well-defined guidelines to follow, every person has her or his own lifestyle and health needs. Consult a specialized nutritionist to ensure you receive all the nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and energy you need to live a long and healthy life.
