7 Superfoods To Increase Longevity (with Infographic)

By Natural Blaze

As rates for cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes continue to climb, many people seem to be searching for a magic bullet to have optimal health overnight. It is this fantasy that Big Pharma preys upon with its ever-increasing array of pills that continue being pushed as cure-alls.

Optimal health is not an overnight guarantee. Experts in natural health point out the obvious: a solid balanced diet, moderate exercise, and stress reduction form the basis for longevity. Even corporate media is introducing articles that sing the praises of superfoods, although they normally downplay most natural health modalities.

Diet is perhaps the greatest factor in the above-mentioned grouping, as exercise and stress reduction can never overcome a largely fast-food diet, for instance. Yet, a good diet full of the fuel needed to make the body run will naturally increase metabolism and can help reduce stress, making any additional exercise and stress-reduction tactics that much more effective.

A diet rich in “superfoods” is absolutely essential. According to health writers at Natural Society, it is important to use targeted superfoods on a seasonal basis for best results; allergy protection, cold prevention, etc. A discussion of their findings, along with an infographic about the 7 key superfoods that should form the core of everyone’s diet follows below.

Superfoods are aptly named. Each of them is high in the areas the body needs most: vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, fiber and antioxidants. A balanced diet of these components can promote weight loss, prime the body for muscle gain, add energy stores, and provide mental clarity and acuity.

When consumed properly, these superfoods, such as chocolate (yes, chocolate), berries, green tea, turmeric, pistachios and garlic can even ward off cancer and help to fight it if it takes hold. (Source)

One item in the infographic below is Maca; this falls into the category of one of the ancient superfoods that has proven its worth since the beginning of time. For a full list of these ancient, indispensible superfoods click here. According to health coach, Margie King, this is at the top of the superfood list and has an interesting history:

Thanks to the efforts of a single Peruvian researcher, a neglected and little known ancient plant was saved from certain extinction about 50 years ago. Today that resurrected root is considered a superfood that improves energy, stamina and libido, and can help menopausal women balance their hormones naturally. 

Maca is a root vegetable (belonging to the Brassica family) that has been cultivated in the Peruvian Andes for over 2,600 years. Growing at about 10,000 feet above sea level, it is the highest altitude crop in the world. 

Back from the brink, maca is enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a result of the research of Gloria Chacon de Popovici, Ph.D., a Peruvian biologist, who conducted studies beginning in the 1960s showing that maca increases fertility in rats, dogs, guinea pigs, rams, cows and humans. (Source)