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Whenever you see a story of a woman (because it’s always a woman) who’s lived for an insane amount of time, they have some kind of diet that includes an insanely unhealthy food, like Dr. Pepper, scotch whiskey, or bacon.
While these people are entertaining exceptions, it’s likely not that one crazy food that got them to 110.
Some foods can actually encourage longevity, but they’re mostly healthier than whatever miracle food these legendarily old people swear by.
- Cranberries. Maybe you only eat cranberries in their processed sauce form, along with your Thanksgiving turkey, but it may be time to eat them more often. Cranberries have been shown to make fruit flies live longer, and people believe that if you made the correct botanical mix, it could help humans live longer too.
- Spinach. A daily serving of spinach, or any leafy green, can help you stave off cognitive decline in old age. This is due to its high vitamin K content.
- Asparagus. The more bitter greens the better. Asparagus contains glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant for lowering your risk of heart disease, cancer, and even dementia.
- Wild Salmon. No matter how you eat it, the omega-3s in this superfood will help you reduce inflammation and cognitive decline.
- Berries. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, you name it, all of these berries are packed full of antioxidants to help you support brain function and muscle retention.
- Tomatoes. The lycopenes in this fruit help to lower risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, and even processed tomatoes are good for getting their benefits.
- Nuts. A handful of nuts every day could help you lower your risk of dying from diseases like diabetes and cancer.
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- Broccoli. These tiny trees contain sulforaphane, which can help prevent cancer. One study found that those with broccoli in their diet extended their lifespan slightly longer than those who didn’t eat it.
- Dark chocolate. Is there anything dark chocolate can’t do? The flavonoids and antioxidants in dark chocolate can reduce inflammation, which is associated with age-related diseases.
