The best way to promote longevity and lead a long, happy,
and healthy life is simple - It starts with a good balance of good-for-you
foods and a moderate daily exercise to reach a healthy lifestyle. Raw,
unrefined and minimally processed foods are the best kinds of foods to eat as
they jam in plenty of heart healthy and longevity increasing goodies. Make a
start by cutting out foods that contain unhealthy substances as bad
cholesterol, added bad sugars, trans fats and saturated fats. Its really as
easy as swapping out that unhealthy, bleached and highly processed flour for a
more nutrient dense flour such as oat or coconut flour that’s super high in
nutrients and fiber in your yummy baked goods instead… your kids won’t know the
difference! Superfoods, are becoming more and more popular, and for great
reason too! Superfoods are nutritionally dense foods that are high in fiber,
are minimally processed, unrefined and have shown to have many health benefits.
Lets have a look at a number of superfoods that can be easily found today and
after plenty of research, have been shown to be beneficial to our bodies in
many ways, including promoting longevity on both the inside and out:
Brilliant berries:
Berries are famous for their large antioxidant content which
is vital in assisting our bodies in fighting off harmful free radicals, and also
to protect our cells from any damage, whether it be from the environment around
us, or the type of lifestyle we may lead in todays busy world. Goji berries
contain a whopping 500x more of the free radical fighting antioxidant Vitamin C
alone, compared to that of an orange along with an abundance of other important
antioxidants and healthy nutrients needed for a long healthy life. They have
been called the longevity fruit and for good reason too! They are very rich in
carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin which helps to protect our
eyes retinas by absorbing blue light and acts as an important antioxidant that
prevents cell damage in the eyes which could in turn lead to development of age
related macular degeneration which is the leading cause of vision impairment in
people over the age of 65[i]. Free
radicals cause gradual cell damage that responsible for visible aging and can
also boost development of some genetic and age related diseases such as cancer
or dementia. Goji berries also contain a large amount of polysaccharides which
causes the body to produce more human growth hormone (HGH) from the pituitary
gland which can help slow down the aging process. Goji Berries are very beneficial
in cardiovascular health and our circulatory system, due to their super
cholesterol lowering properties, which helps to keep your heart in tip-top
shape and your blood balanced - two very important aspects of a healthy human
body.
Radically raw plant foods:
Raw fruits, vegetables and seeds such as hemp and chia are
all part of a balanced diet with their large, naturally occurring amount of
nutrients and minerals. They contain fabulous anti-cancer phytochemicals
(naturally occurring plant chemicals), which provide stress damage resistance
to the cells in our body and therefore help to prevent development of aging,
and certain stress or age related diseases[ii].
Essential fatty acids and high antioxidant levels found in seeds such as hemp
and chia, help to boost cardiovascular health by lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol
levels, maintaining the health of your skin, hair and nails and therefore
protecting them from signs of aging, helping to boost visual acuity, decrease
the risk of developing Dementia and Alzheimers disease, along with protecting
the brain from aging effects, helping to maintain alertness and mental health. Raw
plant foods also contain anti-inflammatory properties, which have been
associated in helping to reduce inflammation in related health issues such as
arthritis, which can provide some comfort and relief to associated pain to
those certain affected areas.
Great grains:
A unique polyphenol called
Avenathramides can be found in oats and has the ability to keep the arteries
clear and free of any plaque build up. This same compound lowers the
pro-inflammatory cytokines that can cause inflammation in the body, that is
associated with certain health issues such as Parkinsons disease, Alzhiemers
and cancer. Beta-glucan is another substance found in oats, which help to boost
our immune system, which is very beneficial in the elderly to keep their
resistance strong to certain diseases and illness.[iii]
Quinoa is another ancient grain jam-packed with longevity loving goodness. It
contains high levels of magnesium, which help to relax your muscles and blood
vessels that affects blood pressure and is crucial for cardiovascular health.
Manganese and Copper act as antioxidants in your body to get rid of disease
causing substances which may be effective in treating conditions artherosclerosis,
breast cancer, diabetes and insulin resistance helping to prolong a long,
healthy life.
RAWsome Cacao (raw chocolate):
Unlike
commercially processed and refined chocolate bars, antioxidants are preserved
in raw cacao and score a huge 62,000 on the ORAC scale. By keeping cacao in its raw
state, it results in a much higher level antioxidants that are not lost during
intense processing methods that can dissolve plaque built up on artery walls,
keeping them clear and are therefore less likely to negatively affect your
hearts health. Raw cacao, being one of the richest
natural sources of antioxidants has twice as much as red wine and three times
the amount of green tea! These antioxidants, along with anandamides (neurotransmitters)
help to increase cardiovascular health by improving blood vessel dilation,
blood pressure and also lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels which are all
essential in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading
causes of death in North America. A feel good stress defense shield called
serotonin helps
us to have a good nights sleep and also protects us from stress related
diseases as we age. In addition to all of these essential disease fighting
substances, there are phytochemicals found in cacao that reveal it may be the
most chemically complex food on earth when consumed in raw form and in every
human diet to promote well-being and longevity[iv].
For more information on how to use
these delicious, long-life superfoods, visit www.mumsoriginal.com
for some fantastic recipe ideas!
