Ever wonder what the secret is to living longer? That’s a million dollar question, right?
People have been looking for a quick fix to live longer for centuries. Here’s two examples:
The Fountain of Youth
In the 16th century, Spanish explorer Ponce Deleon sailed across the oceans in the 16th century in search of the Fountain of Youth.
The theory…Drinking from the Fountain of Youth or bathing in its mystical waters could reverse the aging process, cure sickness, and maybe even help you live forever.
But it doesn’t exist.
The $35 Billion Supplement Industry
In the United States, Americans spend an estimated $35 billion a year on supplements that promise big benefits like:1
- Lose weight
- Improve skin
- Boost mood
- Build muscle
- Improve sexual function
- Slow the aging process
But few of these supplements actually produce positive and measurable results.
“They have been shown to be ineffective in many cases and pose serious health risks to consumers,” says Harvard School of Public Health Researcher Dr. S. Bryn Austin.
Maybe the secret to living longer doesn’t have anything to do with mystical waters or supplements filled with empty promises.
So why do some people live longer than others?
There’s more than one factor at play. But it’s clear that healthy eating habits make a difference.
In a recent study, researchers tracked the eating habits of 74,000 people for 12 years.1
Researchers found that healthy eaters had a lower risk of death than people who didn’t eat a healthy diet. Healthy eaters were also less likely to die from heart disease or stroke.
So what did they eat?
The healthiest people who lived the longest ate more:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Fish
- Nuts and seeds
- Low-fat dairy products
- Whole grains
- Healthy fats
- Lean meats
Now you know what to get the next time you go to the grocery store, plan a meal, or order out.
But what if you’ve been eating burgers and fries all your life?
If you change your diet now, will it do any good? Yes.
Even small changes to your diet over time can cut your risk for chronic disease and early death (mystical water and dietary supplements optional).