Foods that prolong life

Every year new culinary trends appear in the world, but scientists advise that there are some dishes that should continue to be maintained if you want to prolong your life.

Blueberries and chocolate are both good for your health. Photo: Shutterstock

From green tea and chili peppers to wine and chocolate, these are the foods and drinks that can help people live longer. They are also relatively easy to add to your daily diet.

Chilli

Chili peppers are one of the best foods to add to your daily diet. According to Stuff, chili peppers are especially good for the heart, as the capsaicin in this spice can improve blood circulation and protect the body against bacteria associated with inflammation and disease. Not only that, chili peppers also boost metabolism. Experts highly recommend all types of chili peppers, as long as they are hot and spicy.

Blueberry

All berries are good for you, but blueberries in particular can do wonders for humans thanks to their ability to fight everything from obesity to heart disease. Berries are rich in polyphenols, a group of antioxidants that protect heart cells and help lower blood pressure.

This means they can reduce damage to blood vessel walls and tackle glucose resistance, which is caused by too much sugar in the blood and can lead to diabetes. Experts say the best way to get it is to eat blueberries fresh, while other processing methods, such as baking them, can destroy a fifth of their polyphenol content.

Lentils

Lentils are a rich source of fiber, which is essential for the human body, allowing to reduce the risk of stroke by up to 7% if eaten every day. In addition, according to Dr. Michael Greger's best-selling book, How Not to Die, adding 5 cups of lentils, or chickpeas (also known as fava beans), or white beans, each week can also help lose weight. Another benefit of this group of beans is to protect the body against the risk of diabetes.

Fish

All fish, especially salmon, are heart-healthy foods due to their high levels of fatty acids. According to Stuff, eat eight ounces of organic or wild-caught fish a week, such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, or wild salmon. Fish also slows down the aging process by preserving telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that shorten over time.

Whole grain bread

While white bread should not be consumed regularly, whole grain bread is recommended because it is good for the heart, as well as being full of nutrients, protein, vitamins and antioxidants necessary for a healthy body. Whole grains also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and two types of diabetes. Not only that, this food also supports digestion because it contains high fiber content, prevents the risk of appendicitis and improves the immune system.

Chocolate

Eating too much chocolate can make you fat, but eating a little is good for you. Many reports have long proven that chocolate is perfect for your health, especially dark chocolate. The cocoa in chocolate is not only full of nutrients but also a source of antioxidants, improving blood pressure and blood circulation due to the presence of many flavonoids. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day can also help reduce body mass index, according to Men's fitness.

Red wine

Alcohol abuse is not good for your health, but a little wine every day can help prolong your life. Scientists at the Polytechnic School of Lausanne (France) have proven that resveratrol, the "miracle drug" in red wine, is especially beneficial for health. This is because the resveratrol molecule belongs to a group of compounds called polyphenols found in red wine, fruits, vegetables and olive oil. Meanwhile, polyphenols are always famous for their antioxidant capacity.

Green tea

Green tea is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that have been linked to improved brain function, reduced fat, and reduced cancer risk. Drinking green tea also helps to relax the mind, ridding it of everyday worries, and significantly reduces bad cholesterol levels. The beverage even improves oral hygiene, thanks to its ingredients that protect gums from infection.

According to TNO