Foods That Make You Live Longer

A while back I posted on Wine Tasting and how “A glass or two of wine a day will not only lengthen life, but may also enhance intellectual power during the extra years provided.” Well, the new book The Bonus Years Diet, adds six more items to that list. This book about how 7 miracle foods can add 6.4 years on average to your life, claims that downing just the right amount of “bonus foods”-dark chocolate, nuts, garlic, fruits, vegetables, fish, and a daily glass of red wine can stave off heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

Here’s a breakdown on the bonus foods and how they help:

• Nuts: 2 ounces on cereal or a salad each day can reduce our LDL (”bad”) cholesterol by 14%.

• Fruits and Vegetables: These original members of the 4 food groups will always be necessary. Eat 3/4-cup servings daily to lower your blood pressure, slash your risk of cancer, and lower your heart disease risk by 21%.

• Fish: Have 3 servings every week to cut your risk of heart disease and stroke by 38%.

• Dark Chocolate: Savor 2 ounces with a minimum of 60% cocoa content each day, and your risk of cardiovascular disease dips 11%.

• Garlic: Add just one clove (cooked or raw) daily to pasta, salad, or a stir fry to drop your LDL cholesterol. This can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by 38%.

• Wine: Sip a 5 ounce glass each evening to cut your risk of heart disease by 32%.

The Bonus Years plan also outlines 30 days of menus that deliver just the right amount of the bonus ingredients alongside other healthy ingredients like flaxseed and whole grains. Recipes include dishes like penne with turkey sausage and sun dried tomato wine sauce, duck breasts with port and fig sauce and Szechuan braised chicken thighs. Man, that sounds good. Have fun indulging!