4 of 12

Write now Article Tools

The main motivator for human beings is survival. When faced with a life threatening situation, we scratch and claw to save ourselves, so why don't we do the same when it comes to our diets? We know, at least subconsciously, that consuming greasy fast food, soda, and snacks high in transfats on a regular basis is slowly shaving precious years off of our lifespan, yet some of us continue the behavior. It's time to start being more aware of the foods that we consume on a daily basis. There are a number of foods that can help us live longer, healthier lives.

Foods that Help Your Heart
Heart disease has maintained it's crown as the number one killer of Americans according to the CDC, and it doesn't show any signs of letting up anytime soon. You definitely want to start eating foods that promote a healthy heart, and especially if you have a history of heart disease in your family.

Red Tomatoes are full of lycopene, a valuable antioxidant that has been proven in recent studies to reduce the instance of heart attacks in men.

Salmon fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that keep your heart healthy.

Blueberries are dark blue because they are high in anthocyanins, another valuable antioxidant that guards your heart.

Spinach is good for you in so many ways. When it comes to the heart, regular consumption of spinach helps prevent heart disease.

Lean Meats and Soy Proteins are better for your heart because they are low in fats that can gather around your heart and cause heart attack and other serious problems.

Red Wine has been found to be high in resveratrol, a substance found in grapes that does wonders for your heart. Of course, red wine has positive effects only when used in moderation.

Roughage To Flush You Out
Modern doctors agree that most medical problems start in the colon. If you are only passing waste out of your system once every few days, you are not eating the right foods. You should be moving your bowels at least once a day. An unclean colon is a breeding ground for diseases and illnesses that can shorten your lifespan significantly. Doctors estimate that there is anywhere between 5 to 20 pounds of compacted waste sitting in the average person's colon, and the presence of this toxic waste is blamed for many common illnesses including headaches, colds, hypertension, and even arthritis.

To keep your system running smoothly, it's important to eat plenty of green leafy foods and other foods high in fiber, which are also known as "roughage." That includes:

- Broccoli
- Kale and Collard Greens
- Spinach
- Brussel Sprouts
- Apple Skins
- Cherries
- Almonds

The high fiber content of these foods helps your system by bulking up the stool and then pushing it through your colon quickly.

Survival of the Fittest
When you are looking for ways to extend your lifespan by changing your diet, you have to first look at those foods that will help your heart and your colon. There is no time like the present to start adding these life lengthening foods to your daily meals.

So raise your glass of resveratrol - oops, red wine and let's toast. Salud! - To Your Health!

Learn more about this author, Jade Balle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Eat healthy, live longer?
We want to hear your view. Write now!