Patriot Health Digest
The five Blue Zones areas in the world are known for having the longest-living people. In these places, people live into the triple digits and their brains and bodies are still working well.
There are many factors that researchers have found that are shared by these people. This includes low stress, exercise, and a sense of purpose. But a lot of the research on longevity eventually comes down to their eating habits.
The meals most frequently eaten inside these Blue Zones are not loaded with processed junk or added sugars; rather, they are made up of whole foods, plants and the following 4 anti-microbial and antioxidant spices.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is a great antioxidant that can remove free radicals, is connected to lower risks of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, and has also been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease.
2. Black Pepper
This spice is commonly ate along with turmeric as it aids the body in absorbing the beneficial curcuminoids better, however black pepper also has lots of benefits by itself. The active compound inside this spice, called pepperine, has been proven to help cognition and brain functioning, which allows your brain to age better.
3. Ginger
Ginger is great for helping longevity due to it containing compounds called gingerols and shogaols, two which form an antioxidant effect that lowers free radical damage inside your body. This is helpful because free radical harm can lead to a subsequent increase in the oxidative stress inside you, which can both trigger and exacerbate obesity.
4. Garlic
Garlic is used in many meals within the Blue Zones, and it gives great health benefits linked with anti-aging. Garlic is a natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, and has been proven to help overall immune functioning, as well as lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic has been proven many times to help strengthen your immune system and combat against common viruses. In one research, 600 mg to 1,500 mg of garlic extract was proven to be as effective as the drug Atenolol at lowering blood pressure over a six month time frame.
Author: Scott Dowdy
