Healthier, Longer Lives
The average life span continues to increase, mostly due to better nutrition and better health care. But, as we age we want to remain active and healthy, not just get older. Quality of life is as important as quantity of life. If we want to live long, healthy lives there are few things we can do more important than eat well, exercise and stay mentally active. The following are five foods that can help with the process of eating well.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain the anti-oxidant lycopene. Lycopene not only fights cancers of all types, but is especially helpful in fighting cancers of the bowel, intestine and prostate. Raw tomatoes are a good source, but it's even better if the tomatoes are processed into a paste or sauce. So, go ahead and have too much sauce on your spaghetti, the sauce is good for you!
Red Wine
Red wine contains a chemical compound called resveratrol that many studies have shown has a pronounced affect on cholesterol and general heart health. Further, some studies now show that red wine may have other properties that can boost the immune system and promote overall health. There is a warning here though, too much red wine (more than two glasses per day for men and one glass per day for women) can cause other, detrimental health effects. So, enjoy that glass of red wine with dinner and have another scoop of tomato sauce, it's good for you!
Garlic
People have been eating garlic for its health benefits for thousands of years and recently there has been a big kick to eat more garlic. Most of the benefits associated with garlic are simply false, but there are a couple that appear to be true. Studies have shown that garlic may be a powerful anti-oxidant that “scrubs” free radicals from the body. There is also some research that suggests that garlic could help in the war on cardiovascular health, but those same studies also suggest that garlic doesn't help with cholesterol by itself. There is much research still to be done on garlic, but it tastes good so why not enjoy it in a tomato sauce with a glass of red wine?
Green Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are especially good for you. Firstly, they provide fiber which is critical to your digestive tract. Second, they contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium and calcium. Lastly, there is a benefit associated with green leafy vegetables that reduces the risk for coronary artery disease and cancers of several types. The mechanism by which green leafy vegetables provide this benefit is not well understood, but it is known. So, add a salad to that spaghetti, dish up some more sauce and have a glass of wine!
Fish
Scientists are somewhat divided on the issue of fish. Some species of fish contain high levels of mercury which can cause problems in pregnant women and in general reproductive health. This danger appears to be minimized when not eating predator fish such as mackerel, shark and swordfish. Tuna is also in this category, but the risk is minimized by eating only the recommended amount per week, which is two servings. Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids which have a range of benefits from possibly slowing Alzheimer's disease to having a profound effect on cholesterol. Have some baked tuna with that spaghetti!
Benefits, but not the end
It makes sense that the food we put in our bodies has an impact on our overall health and longevity. What we eat and how much of what we eat has a long term effect on our lives. But, even if we find some kind of nutritional “silver bullet”, it is a certainty that that will not be the end all be all of what we need to do to live long, healthy, happy lives. In the next article in this series we'll be discussing the benefits of exercise and keeping fit in general.
Happy Eating and Health!!
