Foods That Can Improve Your Longevity

October 24, 2023

To live a long, healthy, and prosperous life is a dream for most individuals. They want to enjoy their families, careers, and passions. It's almost impossible to do this if you don't take care of your health. If you would like to improve your longevity, there are a few areas you'll want to consider. You will need to monitor your stress levels, the amount of sleep you get each night, and exercise. You’ll want to take a close look at your overall quality of life and how much water you drink each day. Lastly, you will want to closely monitor what you are consuming. To improve your longevity, consider the following foods.

Nuts

There are so many nuts you can consume on a daily basis. Almonds, cashews, and macadamia nuts are just a few of the many healthy choices of nuts you can try. Fiber is essential to your body's ability to eliminate waste efficiently. Almonds are very high in fiber. Knowing this, it's wise to choose almonds instead of chips as a mid-day snack. They're also a great form of protein. You'll have to do your best to avoid chronic illnesses like cancer to achieve longevity. Cashews are effective in helping to prevent cancer. Heart disease is one of the top killers, but thankfully cashews are also helpful in promoting a strong and healthy heart. You can incorporate these little powerhouses into your diet in various ways. You can choose to enjoy a handful of walnuts as a pre-workout booster or crush them to turn them into meals. Almond or pecan meal will go perfectly on top of a morning yogurt parfait or a hot bowl of oatmeal.

Spicy Foods

One of the reasons why individuals fail to experience longevity is because of the immense pain they experience. As an individual ages, their body tends to become more fragile. When somebody trips and falls at seven years old, it'll have a different impact on the body versus a time when somebody trips and falls at thirty-seven years old. Sometimes, the pain from a fall can become chronic and relentless. Spicy food is known to help relieve issues surrounding pain. Many spicy foods contain an ingredient called capsaicin. It is known to help with the immense pain individuals experience. This is why it is also an ingredient used in different pain relief formulas. Capsaicin is found in chili peppers. While you don't have to consume hot, spicy foods on a daily basis, it's a good idea to add some heat a few times a week. Whether it's the scrambled eggs you're consuming in the morning, the fresh fish you are enjoying for lunch, or mashed potatoes at dinner time, find creative ways to add some spice to your meals.

Fatty Fish

There are so many types of oily fish. You can enjoy everything from mackerel and tuna to sardines and salmon. There are tons of health benefits found in every type of oily fish. This is why it's best to consume fish two to three times every single week. Fatty fish is really good for overall health and longevity because it's packed with omega-3 fatty acids. The benefits of consuming fatty fish are directly connected to heart health, decreased chances of dementia, and reduced development of cancer. There are also studies that suggest fish helps with mental health improvement.

Get creative in the ways you incorporate fish into your weekly diet. You can prepare tuna fish sandwiches. If tuna fish sandwiches seem too juvenile, purchase different spices and herbs to add depth. Cilantro and kale can add a different flare to the standard tuna fish sandwich on toasted bread. Salmon is always an amazing option to enjoy with a fresh green salad and other side dishes at dinner time. If you're a sushi lover, options like mackerel fit perfectly to increase your fish intake. However, make sure the fish is wild-caught instead of farm-raised. There's a major difference in the quality and integrity of the nutrients.

Seaweed

Obesity is a chronic issue among so many individuals. The size of your waistline can be a direct indicator of your health. If you want to work on feeling fuller faster and prevent the chances of overeating, you'll need to increase the amount of dietary fiber in your diet. This green superpower is a great source to consider because it fulfills those requirements and tastes delicious. It’s also very low in calories but still helps an individual feel satiated. It’s rich in protein and comes packed with minerals such as iron, copper, and calcium. You can enjoy seaweed when it's mixed into a seaweed salad, wrapped in sushi, or in crunchy chip form.

Whole Grains

One of the main reasons why it's so important to get whole grains into your daily diet is because they are an excellent source of fiber, which is key to overall health. Too many individuals struggle with constipation, diarrhea, and other intestinal issues because of a lack of fiber. If you want your digestive system to work efficiently and reduce your risk of colon cancer, make sure to consume the right whole grains. Oats and barley are two such examples. It's very simple to incorporate these foods into your daily regimen. For breakfast, make a bowl of overnight oats. Make sure you use steel cut oats and add your choice of milk, fruit, and sweetener. Once you combine the ingredients into a jar, place the jar in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, you'll have a delicious parfait to enjoy while you're on the go. Barley and bulgur are grains you can sneak into different dishes such as tacos and rice casseroles. When preparing barley and bulgur, the key is seasoning.

MORE FROM HealthPrep