It’s no secret that as we age, our bodies begin to break down. Certain activities that we once enjoyed become too intense, and some of our favorite Super foods might not agree with us very well anymore. Luckily, there are all kinds of changes you can make to slow that aging process.
Eating a balanced diet is one of the best things you can do to extend your life and stay as healthy and vital as possible.
As we approach middle age, the risk for problems like type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol goes up. Adding beans to your daily diet is a fantastic way to knock that risk back down.
Just ¾ cup of beans or lentils each day reduces your bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 5%. Beans can also improve blood sugar levels in people who already have diabetes.
There is an amazing range of beans and lentils, so you should be able to find a variety or two that you really like. One thing to remember is that if you choose canned beans, it’s best to give them a rinse before eating because canned foods are really high in sodium.
Heart disease risk is one measure of health that spikes dramatically once men hit 45 and women reach 55. Therefore, the more cholesterol-lowering foods you can build into your diet, the better. Oats are great for this due to a type of soluble fiber called beta glucan.
Soluble fiber binds with cholesterol during digestion and allows it to pass out of your body, rather than stay behind in your arteries.
Aim for at least 3 grams of beta glucan each day to reduce both total and LDL cholesterol levels by 5-10%. It’s worth it – people who eat a lot of oats (Super foods) have been found to have a lower risk of early death than people who don’t. Oats are a very affordable staple, so there’s no excuse not to pick up the habit!
3. Apples
Good old apples are a fantastic dietary staple for lots of reasons. Apples lower the risk of diabetes by helping to regulate blood sugar levels. They contain an average of 5 grams of fiber, which can lower cholesterol. And apples also contain a substance called quercetin which is known to lower blood pressure.
They are also a reliable source of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. However, apples do appear on the Dirty Dozen list for pesticide residue, so organic is best if you can afford it.
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