Do Vegetables Really Make You Live Longer?
I always say that the number one thing you can do right now to improve your health is to include more vegetables in your diet.
Vegetables are rich in fibre, contain a diversity of micronutrients, antioxidants, and different plant compounds/chemicals that are designed to protect the body.
I also say how important a micronutrient dense diet is for health, the body uses vitamins and minerals as cofactors for many different mechanisms. Without these micronutrients the body can still function, although it is not in a state of optimal health. The human body is extremely good at prioritizing processes that are vital, and working with what it’s given to sustain homeostasis.
How many people in your life, or perhaps yourself have said “I really should eat more vegetables”, but then they never do it. Like I said above, a body can function without a large quantity of micronutrients, but it cannot THRIVE. I don’t want to live in a body that is just existing, and not thriving. The body is a working for us every second of the day without us ever realizing… but what if we can give back to it and allow it to have all the tools it needs to complete the work with ease? Giving it an array of nutrients through vegetables is a great way to give it the tools that it wants. This can allow the body to thrive and perhaps even live longer.
Cognitive decline is one of the most prominent aging diseases we have. Dementia and Alzheimer's disease have been termed "Type 3 Diabetes" because of their links to diet/nutrition. More studies are coming out linking a diet free of processed foods and rich in micronutrients to be delaying cognitive decline in aging populations. THIS IS HUGE! It's no surprise that as we age things begin to slow down, specifically our brains, but what if we can prolong this decline, and ultimately prolong our quality of life. And what if we can do this with diet alone?!
STUDIES SHOW THE MORE VEGETABLES YOU EAT, THE BETTER COGNITION YOU HAVE & THE LONGER YOU LIVE
A recent 2018 study published in the Journal of Neurology found that after 10 years of follow up - the group who ate the most leafy greens/day (1.3 serving/day) were the equivalent to being 11 years younger!!! This proves that daily consumption of dark leafy greens produce a strong correlation to less cognitive decline in the aging population.
The study included 960 people (average age of 81 - none had dementia or AD)
Thinking and memory skills were tested every year for 4.7 years
They also had to indicate how much greens they ate per day
They divided them into 5 groups based on how much leafy greens they ate and compared with cognitive assessments of those who ate the most (1.3servings/day) and the least (0.1servings/day)
***It’s important to mention that the results don’t prove that eating leafy greens slows down brain aging, but it does show a correlation. This study indicates that there is a connection to the quantity of dark leafy greens consumed and improved cognition in the aging population. These results indicate correlation not causation.*** BUT... the study concludes an important link which helps us understand that the micronutrients in dark leafy greens have a positive outcome on the aging brain.
What To Take Away From This:
Ensure you are consuming a lot of vegetables! Eat a variety & ensure you are consuming at the least 1-2 servings of dark leafy greens per day. This may improve your brain aging which could contribute to a better quality of life as you age and possibly a longer one!
Dark Leafy Greens include:
spinach
kale
collard greens
swiss/rainbow chard
arugula
mustard greens
romaine
microgreens
References
Morris, M.C., Wang, Y., Barnes, L.L., Bennett, D.A., Dawson-Hughes, B., Booth, S.L. (2018). Nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables and cognitive decline: Prospective Study. Journal of Neurology, 16(90), 214-2222.
Study Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29263222
Check out this study & don't forget to eat your dark green veggies Daily!
Stay Healthy,
Holly :)