Cultures That Eat These Things Live Longer Than The Rest Of Us

Food author Michael Pollan boiled down a career’s worth of diet research to one simple rule of thumb: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. It’s a good place to start, but if you want a shot at making it to age 100, you should be eating more like these long-living cultures.

More nuts, like the Californians

Loma Linda, a small town town just outside of Los Angeles, is home to a community of Seventh Day Adventists—a Christian religion that sanctifies healthy living and tends to outlive the average American by a significant number of years. Long-term studies into the Adventists (who eat a largely vegetarian diet) have revealed a correlation between consuming fewer animal products and a longer lifespan, but what really stood out to scientists were the dietary variations between vegetarian groups. In particular, frequent nut consumption was associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality. That’s raw nuts specifically, not the heavily salted, dry-roasted kind.

More unprocessed carbohydrates, like the Japanese

Buddha bowl of sweet potato balls, couscous, hummus and vegetables

More oily fish, like the Nordic nations

Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland are lauded for having outdoorsy lifestyles and an impressive work-life balance, but don’t get the recognition they deserve for their healthy cuisines. In terms of longevity, the Nordic way of eating is comparable to the Mediterranean one—its staple ingredients of oily fish and colorful root veggies are anti-inflammatory and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Take it as an excuse to eat an indulgent smoked salmon breakfast every day.

More whole grains, like the West Africans

Researchers from the University of Cambridge recently highlighted West Africa as one of the healthiest eating areas on the planet, thanks to the local diet of fruit, vegetables, fish, and grains—specifically fibrous whole grains, which improve heart health and aid digestion. West African meals also tend to be low in calories, which research shows is conducive to longevity.

Healthy fats, like the Mediterranean nations

The Mediterranean climate cultivates a bounty of colorful fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains. Most famously, of course, it’s perfect for growing olives—the oil of which Mediterranean folks slosh liberally over their meals. Extra virgin olive oil is a monounsaturated “healthy fat” that’s full of antioxidants. These antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which protects against heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Interestingly, studies have shown consuming large amounts of olive oil won’t make you gain weight, despite the fact that it’s a high-calorie source.

Smaller portions, like the French

OK, the French diet isn’t exactly the healthiest—it’s a nation renowned for croissants, baguettes, and cheese—yet somehow the French, on the whole, are slender and long-living. Their secret, say scientists, is good, old-fashioned portion control. Meals served in Parisian restaurants have been found to contain 25% less food than meals served in Philadelphian restaurants, for example, and despite the prevalence of calorific foods, they consume less calories than Brits and Americans, on average. The French also steer clear of anything that’s been processed to lower the fat percentage. Full-fat foods, although higher in calories gram for gram than “low-fat” alternatives, are more satiating, meaning people tend to consume much smaller amounts of them.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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