Because some of you have asked me about this before, here it is: the (disappointingly restrictive) list of foods that I believe to be the best for promoting healthy longevity. During the many hours that I've spent researching and thinking about this topic, I've come to learn that all of the things we eat have both pluses and minuses. Fish and seafood, for instance, are excellent sources of omega-3 but they also contain mercury. Green tea is known and revered for its antioxidants but (1) it blocks iron absorption, while (2) the newest research in this area has started questioning our way of understanding the relationship between antioxidants, free radicals and molecular damage. Personally, the way I go about designing the optimal longevity-promoting lifestyle is to try to incorporate in my diet mostly those foods that overall benefit my body more than they harm it.
So here are my top choices:
- Water (don't laugh; water is underrated)
- Vegetables and tomatoes
- Fish and seafood (approximately 200 grams divided into smaller portions throughout the day)
- Seaweed
- Avocados
- Lemons and limes
- Ginger and fresh ginger tea
- Turmeric
- Green and white tea (at most 2 cups a day and not during or shortly after meals)
- Cranberries (for women)
Foods that almost made it on the list:
- Blueberries
- Pomegranates
- Apples
A healthy diet is all about optimizing both macros and micros. Obviously, it is impossible to consume only the items on this list, but I do think that it is preferable to build your meals around them, while adding here and there other foods that do not harm you more than they benefit you, like beans, lentils, chicken, nuts, just to give a few examples.
If you enjoyed this post, stay tuned! Next week I'll be writing about those foods that I believe is best to try to avoid at all costs. In the meantime, please feel free to share your favorite longevity tips.
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