Friday, December 3, 2010

Health Watch: Foods you'd be happy to let you live longer

What if food could pack on the years instead of the pounds? These life-lengthening foods will not only please the palate, but you'll age gracefully too!

Dark Chocolate
Savor two ounces with a minimum of 60 percent cocoa content each day, and your risk of cardiovascular disease dips 11 percent. See, chocolate is the world's perfect food after all!

Fish
Have three servings every week (good choices include baked trout or broiled wild salmon). Women of childbearing age and young children should stick to two servings a week and avoid large predatory fish, such as swordfish, albacore tuna, and shark. You'll cut your risk of heart disease and stroke by 14 percent.

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 percent. So the next time you prepare your adobo meal, add on more garlic, it not only tastes better it also lowers your bad cholesterol and reduces hypertension.

Nuts
Sprinkle two ounces on your cereal or salad each day to reduce your LDL ("bad") cholesterol by 14 percent. Interested in pasta? Try making this Nut Pesto with Chicken recipe

Fruits and Vegetables
Eat five, 3/4 cup servings daily to lower your blood pressure, slash your risk of cancer, and lower your heart disease risk by 21 percent. Check out this carrot-pipino recipe or you may want to take a afternoon treat of fresh apple juice.

Wine
Sip a five-ounce glass each evening to cut your risk of heart disease by 32 percent. This Christmas, gift your family and friends and with some great wine, welcoming a healthy year ahead.

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