by Jennifer Cox Longevity What’s the latest buzzword in food and health? It’s “superfood.” No, this is not a cucumber in a cape – it’s defined as “a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.” That being said, there are so many things that are being touted as “superfoods,” it’s hard to know whether it’s worth sorting through all of the wellness jargon and seeking out these edibles. And are they really all that super in that they will, in fact, help us live longer?! Well, let’s start with the supposed superfoods that are out there. For years, nutritionists and physicians have been promoting things such as spinach, blueberries, yams, apples, salmon and green tea (which I wrote about in a previous column – green tea really does have incredible longevity effects on our health). They are all high in nutrients and disease-fighting goodness, and are readily available at most grocery stores. But did you know that some of the more recent superfoods which are being talked up include some unusual dietary additions – things such as crickets (yup, they’re super high in protein and can be purchased in powder form, which I’ve tried and even liked in a strawberry smoothie), seaweed, and anything that is fermented (such as sauerkraut or kimchi – they improve bowel health, aid in digestion and allow you to absorb your food better). These are all getting praise for adding to our overall well-being and, in turn, increasing our longevity. While it’s hard to definitively say whether a specific food on its own will add actual days, weeks or months to your lifespan, it has undoubtedly been proven time and again that a diet rich in minerals and vitamins plays an important role in overall health (and, hence, longevity). According to an article inTimemagazine, those who have the longest life expectancies live in Japan – the average life expectancy for women is 87 and for men, it’s 80. Their diet is rich in fish and pickled vegetables, and may very well be responsible for Japan’s incredible longevity, as they have diets filled with plants, fish and vegetables. Another article published on WebMD asserts that a healthy diet is crucial to living longer. Eating foods rich in antioxidants is important, but so is consuming myriad beneficial nutrients, including protein, calcium and vitamin D, and minimizing detrimental dietary components including saturated and trans fats. “The most beneficial diets rely heavily on fresh vegetables, fruits and legumes - foods that are naturally lower in calories and packed with nutrients,” says Bradley Willcox MD, MPH, co-author of The OkinawaDiet Planand professor of geriatrics at the University of Hawaii, in the same article. So do superfoods extend your life? Well, the various foods out there that are currently being given a “super” title do include fruits, veggies, legumes and healthy proteins, which experts say are the key to longevity. But that shouldn’t negate the healthful benefits of other foods that haven’t yet been touted as “super.” In the end, it’s all about seeking out the freshest, most wholesome foods out there, ensuring that you eat a wide variety of those fruits to optimize on all of their nutritional values and having a willingness to try a few new “superfoods” along the way (crickets anyone?) to keep things exciting and healthful. SUPER FOODS are they really that super? CSANews | SUMMER 2016 | 37
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