6 Foods That Will Help You to Lead a Longer and Healthier Life
Your eating habits play a significant part in keeping you healthy. Did you know that they may impact your life insurance policy too?
A good diet can help keep you in top shape, even more so than any exercise or physical activity. Fuel your body with healthy nutrients and you’ll sharpen your mind and boost your energy.
Not only that, but a good diet can increase your chances of living a long and prosperous life.
You might be wondering, “What does that have to do with life insurance?”
Actually, a lot.
Your insurance provider will go to great lengths to find out everything they can about your lifestyle. General carelessness and unhealthy habits will put you in the “risky” category. As a result, your insurance premium will reflect this.
Most insurers include your BMI (Body Mass Index) in their assessment. If you’re overweight, you’re considered to have a greater risk of developing a chronic disease and dying earlier.
But most importantly, insurers will take a close look at your medical record. What you eat also impacts your heart rate and your blood panel test. So, eating healthy food is a given. You get to stay fit and also keep your life insurance premium low.
Consider adding these foods to your diet to see some health benefits.
Dark Chocolate
People frequently use dark chocolate to replenish their energy and maintain focus. But this delicacy may also protect your cells and enhance your lifespan.
Cocoa beans are full of antioxidants. This means that both cocoa powder and dark chocolate can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Additionally, numerous tests have confirmed that dark chocolate boosts your cognitive ability. It contains flavonoids, which are phytonutrients, or plant chemicals, that have a positive impact on the nervous system.
Put simply, dark chocolate can boost your attention span and memory. It stimulates a positive mood and it’s a great natural remedy for emotional stress.
Eating dark chocolate can slow down the aging of your cells and keep you in an upbeat mood. What’s not to like?
Cranberries
An interesting research study in 2014 confirmed the link between eating cranberries and longevity. A group of scientists exposed fruit flies to cranberries. The goal was to see whether the insects would outlast their usual life expectancy.
And the results confirmed this hypothesis. Those fruit flies lived 25% longer than the other group of fruit flies that didn’t get any cranberries. Studies have found that cranberries have high antioxidant properties. This means that they can significantly reduce cell damage and assist regeneration.
A glass of fresh cranberry juice in the morning could be the perfect start to your day.
Green Tea
Japan has the highest life expectancy of all countries. And their diet might have something to do with it. Green tea is a staple drink in Japanese culture. Could it be a contributor to their long life expectancy?
Green tea does have an imposing list of health benefits. It may boost the immune system, regulate blood pressure, and improve heart rates.
Additionally, it could reduce the risks of diabetes, strokes, and high cholesterol levels.
On top of everything else, green tea can positively affect your brain functions. It can enhance your working memory, while reducing the risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s. It contains caffeine, so it can quickly increase your energy levels and focus.
Whenever you need a bit of a cognitive boost, you may want to take a sip of green tea.
Garlic
Garlic is an essential ingredient in cuisines worldwide. It enhances both taste and aroma and adds a flavourful edge to many dishes.
But did you know that it’s also one of the healthiest vegetables in the world?
Garlic is a well-known antioxidant. Recent research confirms that there are at least ten compounds in garlic that can help to prevent cancer. For instance, diallyl sulphide is one of the molecules that can break down cancerous cells in the body.
In addition, garlic may reduce thrombus formation. (A thrombus is a blood clot in the circulatory system that could cause a stroke.) Garlic may also reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, it improves the immune system and cognitive functions.
If there’s a vegetable that could single-handedly improve your medical record, it’s garlic.
Vegetables
You can chew them, shred them, chop them, cook them, and do a lot more with them. All cruciferous vegetables have unique traits that may increase your life expectancy.
Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and others come with similar health benefits. These nutrient-filled veggies have anti-inflammatory properties that have been proven to help protect blood vessels.
Furthermore, cruciferous vegetables possess a unique trait. They can modify and regulate your hormone levels, especially those hormones that manage the body’s detoxification system. That’s important as this is the system that prevents the growth of cancerous cells.
If you’re not fond of eating your cruciferous veggies raw, you can find lots of delicious recipes online. Or you can blend them with various fruits to make a vitamin-stacked green juice or smoothie.
Fatty Fish
There’s another staple in Japanese cuisine that’s linked to the Japanese people’s increased longevity. That would be fatty fish. Salmon, tuna, sardines, trout, and other oily fish contain lots of health benefits. They are full of vitamins, especially A and D, that boost the immune system.
Of course, fatty fish also have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids may reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke. And they’re not produced in the body so you can only get them from food.
And if you need another reason to add more fish to your diet, eating salmon might even help you stave off Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Eat Well and Prosper
You don’t need a reason to eat healthy. Your health should always come first so you can live a long and happy life. And taking care of your health allows you to give your best to your loved ones, too.
A good life insurance policy can also contribute to your loved ones’ long-term security. However, your life insurance premium will always rely on your health. A clean medical record is your ticket to finding a insurance policy at an affordable rate.
That’s exactly what NobleOak can offer. An award-winning life insurance company, NobleOak will work closely with you to create the best life insurance policy tailored to your needs. Get a quote right away to begin.