Eating different kinds of healthy food is important when observing a good diet, and a good diet means eating to improve health, fight off disease and live a longer life.
While there is no single type of food that can provide all health benefits, science has found that some particular foods pack on more disease-fighting properties that help boost life expectancy.
1) Fruits and Vegetables - These foods are rich in nutrients and fiber and are low in calories. Several studies have already established that fruits and vegetables can help maintain healthy weight and protect the body from serious illnesses.
A 2014 published study found in Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health revealed that those who eat more than seven servings of fruits and veggies per day can reduce their risk of death by half.
2) Nuts and Peanuts - A 10-year study in the Netherlands has found that nuts or peanuts can significantly lower the risk of death caused from some serious diseases.
The June 2015 published study found that those who consume at least 10 grams of peanuts or nuts daily will enjoy the reduced risk. Moreover, reduced mortality is strongest in respiratory disorders, neurodegenerative illness and diabetes.
3) Chocolate - Chocolate fanatics can now rejoice because according to studies, chocolate, specifically the dark variants, can help fight off heart disease.
A study published in the journal Heart confirms that cocoa beans in chocolate are rich in polyphenols, which help improve blood flow. The study also concluded that there is no evidence these dark, sweet treats should be avoided over the concern of possible heart disease.
4) Green Tea - Green tea is packed with antioxidants and people are learning to appreciate its benefits.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that green tea has been a subject of several studies and results suggest that the beverage offers health benefits such as reducing bad cholesterol and offering protection from different types of cancer.
Not all people may choose to eat the foods listed above. However, the most important secret to a healthy, longer life is to eat a variety of foods rich in nutrients and adopt good exercise habits.
