Having a long and healthy life is a blessing. Some diets can support having a healthy life. This is scientifically proven where there are certain nutrients in some foods and drinks that make a person’s body healthy so that they can live long.
This diet is followed by some of the oldest people in the ‘Blue Zone’. These areas, namely Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece. What is their diet like? Here’s the explanation:
- Don’t eat much meat
National Geographic writer Dan Buettner, who has studied the world’s oldest people, found that most people in the Blue Zone eat less meat. The amount is not more than 56 grams for each meal for 5 times a month. Protein in meat is needed because of its various functions. However, health experts say that the source of protein is not only red meat, but can also come from fish or vegetable protein ingredients.
- Eat more vegetables
Ikarian people in Greece, almost 20% of their diet is green vegetables and 11% is beans. Consuming more vegetables, whole grains, and nuts is scientifically proven to increase a person’s life expectancy.
- Eat small fish
There are interesting facts about the habit of eating fish in the Blue Zone community. They prefer smaller fish such as sardines and anchovies. This is because small fish contain less mercury than larger fish such as tuna or salmon.
- Eat a cup of grains every day
Try to eat 1 whole grain every day. This plant-based food material seems to be a mandatory menu for long-lived people. The types you can eat are chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, peas, and edamame. Because the content of grains is high in fiber and protein.
- Drink less sugary drinks
One more tip from the oldest people in the world. They do not often drink sugary drinks such as soda, yogurt with various flavors, or other packaged drinks containing high sugar. Buettner says they drink sugary drinks for celebration only. So everyday they focus on drinking water. They also drink natural coffee which can protect heart health and prevent stroke. In addition, Okinawans also rely on the intake of green tea to make a long life.