What are The Two Best Diets for Longevity?

What’s the best way to eat to live longer and be healthier? For the best longevity diet plan, one need only look at cultures who have the longest life spans and who suffer from fewer of the chronic, lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and diabetes that are so common in the United States. There’s no doubt that some cultures have a genetic advantage when it comes to longevity, but when people from these cultures migrate to the United States they usually take on the same disease risk of people living in this country – suggesting that diet and lifestyle are important. Taking this into account, what are the best longevity diet plans?

The Mediterranean Diet

A large study where researchers followed people who ate a Mediterranean diet for over ten years showed that it reduced the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and lowered overall mortality by up to twenty percent. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables with light meat consumption. The small amount of meat that’s eaten in Mediterranean cultures is usually chicken or fish as opposed to red meat. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes monounsaturated fats found in nuts and olive oil and de-emphasizes saturated fat. Red wine is consumed in moderation. People who follow a Mediterranean diet generally have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer – three of the biggest killers in the United States. Fortunately, you don’t have to live by the Mediterranean sea to adopt this longevity diet plan. There are a variety of good books that can help you get started enjoying the Mediterranean style of eating.

Eat Like the Japanese

Another culture that knows how to eat to live longer are the Japanese. Japanese men and women have some of the longest life spans in the entire world. They live an average of seven percent longer than the average American and enjoy fewer disabilities and a lower risk of chronic diseases. How is their diet different? They eat smaller portions, but usually arrange their food in an artful way so they’re satisfied with less. The Japanese eat more fish and fermented soy-based foods as their source of protein rather than red meat with its high saturated fat content. They also eat far more vegetables compared to Americans – usually enjoying several at every meal including such healthy choices as sea vegetables and cruciferous veggies – both of which have been shown to lower the risk of cancer. While Americans frequently end the meal with a high fat, high calorie dessert, the Japanese opt for fruit instead with all of its natural antioxidants. Their beverage of choice? Green tea, of course.

The Bottom Line?

It’s fortunate that here in America, you can get the best of both worlds by enjoying the foods from each of these longevity diet plans. Combing food from both plans will add nutritional variety as well as reduce the boredom factor. When you’re planning your weekly menu, keep these two longevity diet plans in mind.