The secret to longevity and long-lasting health is enjoying your life and staying happy. Of course, some hard work is required to take care of your health and set yourself on the right path, but in doing so, you should not forget to have fun.
And that includes enjoying good food. You’ve probably noticed that when you really enjoy your food, it feels much better than when you eat in a rush. The following list offers you nine foods that promote good health and longevity. And the best news is, they are yummy too!
9 foods that promote longevity
1. Almonds
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You can sprinkle them onto your salad, add them to your baking, or snack on them on the go. What aren’t almonds good for? Packed with all-important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and good fats, almonds help manage cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and osteoarthritis, and can even improve digestion. Bonus points: they’re great immune system boosters too!
2. Kefir
If this foreign food doesn’t ring a bell, it’s basically fermented milk. It tastes more acidic and has a creamier texture than regular milk, but the key difference is that it’s populated with healthy bacteria. This equates to happy intestinal microbiota and clockwork digestion. By the way, if you’re taking antibiotics, kefir is your go-to remedy to make the treatment easier on your stomach.
3. Pomegranate
The pomegranate helps clean your arteries of fat deposits and bad cholesterol, strengthening the elasticity of your blood vessels and promoting blood flow. This translates to protection against atherosclerosis, hypertension, and, ultimately, a heart attack. Besides, it’s packed with vitamins that come with a long list of benefits for all aspects of your health.
4. Lemon
You may not be very keen about consuming lemon on its own, but you can always add lemon slices to your water and sprinkle your food with some lemon juice. It promotes bile secretion in the liver, preparing your body for efficient digestion. Like other citrus fruits, lemon helps prevent certain types of cancer, reducing your cardiovascular risk and acting as an anti-inflammatory.
5. Clementines
Speaking of citrus fruits, clementines are packed with vitamin C. A perfect quick snack, clementines help fight fatigue and protect from germs.
6. Grapefruit
Another super healthy citrus fruit, grapefruit is full of antioxidant compounds that help prevent cancer. It is also an effective weight loss food. Take note, however, that you can’t consume grapefruit with certain meds such as statins. So, if you’re on a treatment plan, you may want to consult with your doctor prior to stocking up on this fruit.
7. Plums
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Black, red, yellow plums come in different varieties and their benefits are just as diverse. Improved vision, glowing skin, healthy mucous membranes, immune system support, bone loss prevention, and improved blood clotting are just some of the notable perks that you get from eating these fruits.
8. Watermelon
The ultimate summer dessert and thirst quencher, watermelon is suspected of possessing cancer-fighting, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-inflammatory properties. And while we’re at it, don’t spit out the black pips. Chew them for an extra dose of vitamin C. To get the most goodness out of your watermelon, eat it within four days of cutting it open. For better nutrient absorption, try eating it with lipids. Watermelon chunks coupled with goat cheese and mint make for a perfect summer salad.
9. Raisins
Small but mighty—that’s the best way to describe these guys. Their amazing antioxidant content helps slow down cellular aging. Besides, raisins boast four times more trace elements than grapes. You may have some reservations about their high sugar content, but it’s fruit sugar, which is not as bad, and as with anything, moderation is the key.
