A few years ago, I traveled to Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, Loma Linda in California and Sardinia in Italy all "Blue Zones," or homes to thelongest-lived people to find out what centenarians ate to live to 100.

I also asked dozens of theworld's leading nutritionists and food scientists what we should eat to enjoy a long and healthy life, while also taking care of the environment.

One conclusion leaped out like a flashing neon sign (and might come as a shock to fans of the latest trendy diets): Of the top 10 recommended foods, half belonged to the bean family lentils, soybeans, peanuts, chickpeas and black beans.

On Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, for example, the day might begin with a warm corn tortilla stuffed with savory black beans. On the Italian island of Sardinia, lunch might be a steaming bowl of minestrone, packed with fava beans, cranberry beans and chickpeas. On the Japanese island of Okinawa, dinner might include a tasty stir-fry with green beans, soybeans or mung bean sprouts.

Coincidental? I don't think so. A 2004 study of people 70 years or older in three different cultures around the world found that for every two tablespoons of beans a day individuals consumed, they reduced their risk of dying by 8%.

Other research has shown that beans not only provide the complex carbohydrates, proteins and trace minerals our bodies need, they also supply the fiber our microbiomes require, boosting our immune systems. That makes sense, because Blue Zone residents don't achieve their extraordinary longevity by relying on superior genes alone, but also by avoiding obesity, diabetes, heart disease, dementia and cancers better than the rest of us.

By contrast, nearly two thirds of Americans now report themselves to be overweight or obese, according to Gallup. And according to arecent Harvard study,we have a shorter average life expectancy than residents of nearly any other high-income nation largely because of our diets and lifestyles.

In every Blue Zone I've ever visited, generations of cooks have made beans a key ingredient in their most popular recipes.

Here are a few to make in your own kitchen:

TENDER BEAN, POTATO AND ONION STEW

Tender Bean, Potato and Onion Stew

(National Geographic | David McLain)

Featured in almost every Nicoyan meal, black beans contain high levels of anthocyanins and have 10 times the antioxidants of an equivalent serving of oranges. Rich and hearty, this one-pot meal is a staple in Costa Rica. It's easy to make and costs less than $1 a serving.

Cook time: 1 hourServings: 6

Ingredients:

Steps:

CHICKPEA SOUP WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Chickpea Soup With Lemon and Herbs

(National Geographic | David McLain)

Greeks and Ikarians especially have mastered the art of blending lemon, olive oil and herbs. This simple recipe is a warming alternative to chicken soup in the winter and provides yet another way to creatively incorporate beans into your daily diet.

Cook time: 2 hours, 20 minutes; 45 minutes if using canned chickpeasServings: 6

Ingredients:

Steps:

BLACK-EYE PEA SALAD WITH MINT AND ONIONS

Black-Eye Pea Salad With Mint and Onions

(National Geographic | David McLain)

This recipe represents one of my fondest revelations from cooking in Ikaria. I would never have thought to pair beans with vinegar and mint, but the result was a symphony of new and magical flavors. The vinegar not only adds the healthful digestion and immunity-boosting effects of fermentation and probiotics, but also helps maintain the texture of the beans so they don't disintegrate as leftovers.

Cook time: 1 hour if using dried beans; 10 minutes with canned beansServings: 8

Ingredients:

Steps:

SWEET POTATO BLACK BEAN BURGER

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers

(National Geographic | David McLain)

This burger is a longevity powerhouse. Loaded with beans, greens, sweet potatoes and pepitas, it's the perfect example of a Blue Zonesinspired twist on a classic American comfort food.

Cook time: 35 minutesServings: 4

Ingredients:

The Patty and Buns:

The Sauce:

The Toppings:

Steps:

On top of being good for you, beans are cheap to produce and grow practically everywhere, from equatorial zones to northern regions, so they don't need to be transported vast distances to reach markets. They also don't require refrigeration and can be stored for a long time.

Beans are even healthy for the land itself, because they restore crucial nitrogen to the soil. Accounting for the environmental impacts of what we eat has become more urgent as Earth's climate crisis has worsened. The global food system now contributes more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from livestock production.

Shifting our diets to favor plants over meat could be so important. If people followed standard dietary guidelines, we could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food production by as much as 70%, according to a team from the University of Oxford.

So, what's the bottom line? Can we be good to both ourselves and the planet? Our research suggests we can. And the first step on that quest to achieve a long healthy life should be to embrace the simple magic of beans.

Dan Buettner is a longevity researcher, National Geographic Fellowand award-winning journalist. He is the author of"The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest" and "The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World's Healthiest People." His latest bestseller,"The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes for Living to 100," fuses scientific reporting, National Geographic photography and recipes that may help you live to100. Follow him on Instagram@danbuettner.

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Adding this one simple food to your diet may help you live to 100, according to the world's longest-living people - CNBC

Millennials get flak for being the avocado toast generation. But theyre definitely on to something. Avocados are as nutritious as they are delicious and they come with some great health benefits.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.Policy

Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, says, Avocados are a great addition to a healthy diet. Jam-packed with vitamins and nutrients, here are some good reasons to give these wrinkly green fruits a second look and add them to your regular rotation.

There are hundreds of avocado varieties, ranging from big to small, wrinkly to smooth. What they have in common: a big round pit, creamy green flesh and a whole lot of nutrients crammed into a handy pear-shaped package.

Whether youre adding a slice to a salad or sandwich or using them as an ingredient in a more complicated recipe, avocados have a lot going for them, health-wise, Zumpano says. Here are some of the many nutrients and vitamins packed into just a single avocado.

A perfectly ripe avocado is slightly firm but not rock-hard. Cant wait to eat it, but its not ripe? Store it in a paper bag on the counter until it gives a little when you squeeze it. Once its ripe, you can store it in the fridge for a day or two to keep it from going soft too quickly. (Or just dive right in, since a ripe-but-not-too-ripe avocado is a time-limited treasure.)

But dont go overboard. Avocados are packed with nutrients, but theyre not exactly low in calories. A 50-gram portion about a third of a medium-sized avocado has about 75 calories. An entire large avocado can add upward of 400 calories to your daily diet.

Like most things, says Zumpano, moderation is key. As long as youre paying attention to portion sizes, avocados are great foods to include in your diet, she says.

The avocado is an all-ages treat, says Zumpano. Lots of babies love it mashed with banana. For an older palate, there are almost endless ways to use it. Some ideas to get you started:

You can also use the smooth, creamy fruit to replace the less-healthy fats in your diet, Zumpano says. Here are some additional ways you can add avocado to your diet.

If you use avocado to replace other fats, you can enjoy the flavor and nutrients and also cut down on saturated fats, she says.

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Why Avocados Are a Healthy and Delicious Addition to Your Diet - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Although olive oil is a staple in many American kitchens, some people do not know what to buy and how to use it.

Its popularity began in the 1980s when scientific research indicated a connection between extra virgin olive oil and heart health. Continued scientific research has shown additional health benefits including decreased risk for certain cancers, reduced inflammation in the body and improved brain health. The popularity of the Mediterranean diet has increased the sales of olive oil over 70% in the past five years. The choices available in grocery stores have grown significantly, too, which adds to the confusion. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends up to 35% of total calories from fat, with the majority coming from unsaturated fats, like those in olive oil.

Lets look behind the bottle to see how olive oil is made. Olives used to be crushed with stone mills but those have been replaced with machines that are cleaner and faster. The crushed olives are then pressed to extract the oil. Cold press on the label means that the oil was extracted by machine without the addition of heat. Extra virgin olive oil is the oil from the first press without any heat or chemicals. Other grades of olive oil, like virgin or pure, are extracted with machines and often treated with heat or chemicals, for less cost.

The flavor, color and aroma of olive oil varies depending on the types of olives as well as the soil and climate where they were grown. The color does not reflect the quality of the oil. Lets look at the different types of olive oils.

Extra virgin is from the first press of the olives and is the most flavorful and healthiest because it retains more of the nutrients and antioxidants from the olives.

Classic or pure olive oil is a blend of industrially processed olive oil with some virgin or extra-virgin olive oil added for flavor. Its milder flavor makes it a healthy alternative to vegetable oil.

Light flavor or light tasting olive oil has very little virgin olive oil and is highly refined, which results in less flavor, lighter color and few health benefits.

When selecting olive oil, there are a few things to check. First, it should come in a dark colored bottle or can, which protects it from breaking down when exposed to light and extends the shelf life. Look for a best buy date on the bottle, which is about two years from bottling. Olive oil is sensitive to heat, oxygen, light and age ,so it is best to store in a cool, dark place in an airtight container. Once you open a bottle of olive oil, try to use it within two to three months. For this reason, it may be best to buy in smaller bottles even if it costs a little more.

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Selecting and using olive oil as part of a healthy diet - Herald-Mail Media

Nutrition for kids: It is essential to incorporate healthy foods in your toddlers diet for their development. Read on to know the foods you can include.

Raising kids isnt an easy job, and getting children to eat healthy foods can sometimes feel like a battle. Not only do kids throw tantrums while eating, but dont want to have healthy foods at all. The greener the vegetable, the bigger the tantrum. In the process, kids are deprived of the essential nutrients that sometimes take a toll on their health.

For starters, it is difficult to make children understand what minerals or vitamins are important for their well-being. But there is a simple trick that might help - mix different fruits and vegetables and teach your kids to eat as many different colours as they can. This will help you incorporate different foods with different nutritional value in their diet, which will help in your kids natural growth.

Bananas

Bananas are a great option for toddlers, in fact, it is good for kids of all ages. They have a high content of potassium, which will help your kid develop strong bones. They are perfect for young kids as it is easy to eat and digest. Make sure you give them chopped bananas to eat properly.

Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which plays a role in their growth and healthy vision. Because of their bright colour and natural sweetness, carrots are always a favourite among kids. So, make carrots your childs best friend to help them reap all its benefits.

Avocados

Avocados are high in protein and monosaturated fat, which is great for keeping heart diseases at bay. Remove the peel and serve them mashed or in cubes any way your kid likes.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great option when it comes to providing vital nutrients to your kids as they are a good source of vitamin A, and C, potassium, and fibre. Their sweet, creamy texture is something your kids will never say no to and will enjoy.

Yoghurt

Feed your childs tiny tummy with some yoghurt. It is high in calcium, protein, potassium, which are important for healthy bones and teeth. It is also good for digestion and helps bolster immunity. However, you should choose whole-milk yoghurt over flavoured, low-fat or fat-free yoghurt.

Tomatoes

Kids love the tangy, delicious tomatoes. They are an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant that keeps diseases like cancer and heart diseases at bay. The best way to serve them to your child is by cooking with a little bit of oil to get the most of the juicy tomatoes.

ALSO READ:Wheezing Cough in Babies: Signs, causes and treatment for this discomfort in toddlers

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6 superfoods to include in your toddlers diet - PINKVILLA

Healthy seeds: Adding seeds to your diet can help you lose weight and offer you several other amazing health benefits. Read here to know top 5 seeds that you should be consuming.

Several seeds are loaded with essential nutrients

You might have heard this many times that you should add enough nuts and seeds to your diet as these are loaded with essential nutrients. It is advised to eat a handful of nuts and seeds to beat hunger pangs. There is a huge variety of seeds available which are extremely healthy. You can add seeds to your diet in several ways. These can be consumed directly or you can add these to smoothies, shakes, dessert or as a topping on salads and fruits. Vegetarians miss several essential vitamins and minerals. Some of these essential nutrients can be obtained from seeds. Here are some healthy seeds you can add to your diet for better nutrition.

Chia seeds are loaded with protein, fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds are widely consumed for weight loss. Chia seeds are also good for your digestion, blood sugar levels and cholesterol. These are also loaded with antioxidants and essential minerals.

Chia seeds are loaded with protein that can help in weight lossPhoto Credit: iStock

The health benefits of flaxseeds are well known. These are amazing for your heart health as the omega-3 fatty acids content is high. These offer several benefits similar to chia seeds like control cholesterol levels, better digestion and weight loss. These contain high quality protein and may also help control blood sugar levels.

Also read:Revealed! The Right Way To Consume Nuts And Seeds For Weight Loss

Sesame seeds commonly known as til in India. These contain good amount of fibre. Sesame seeds are a great source of plant protein and can help boost bone health. Studies have also highlighted that sesame seeds can help reduce inflammation, blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels.

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with numerous health benefits including controlled inflammation, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of magnesium, antioxidants, zinc, iron, copper and fibre.

Also read:Fennel Seeds Health Benefits: Learn Different Ways To Use These Amazing Seeds

Hemp seeds are incredibly nutritious as these contain protein, magnesium and zinc. Hemp seed oil is also commonly used for various purposes. Adding these seeds to diet can help reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause.

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Also read:Chia Seeds For Weight Loss: 5 Interesting Ways To Add These Seeds To Your Diet

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

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5 Super Healthy Seeds You Should Add To Your Diet - NDTV Doctor

Friends make you laugh, give helpful advice when you need it most, and sometimes they may even help you cheat on your diet. At least thats whatSpicedid when she met her old pal and Love and Hip Hop Atlanta co-starKarlie Redd recently.

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the Jamaican dancehall artist shared a hilarious video of herself tempting Karlie with a good piece of bread. In the clip, Spice is heard attempting to lure Karlie into breaking her diet, telling her try it Karlie and its so good. @iamkarlieredd Im all the friend you need, Spice captioned the clip that garnered over 170,000 views and over 400 comments. Fans were left in stitches after Karlie quickly gave into temptation, grabbing a plate and napkin to indulge.

One fan wrote, Spice is the friend our grandparents warned us about!. They added, Grandma-If yuh friend jump off the bridge yawh guh dweet?Karlie- Yessss. While another person commented, Thats how food be talking to me in my head when Im on a diet or dont wanna eat late.

A third fan jokingly wrote, Karlie gave in so fastspice your not a good friend. While another left a comment saying, If Peer pressure was a person, is the Devil on your shoulder was a person. It wouldve spice.

Karlie shared the same clip on her Instagram. When your on a diet And your friends dont want you to be Great! Tag Your Peer Pressure Friends@spiceofficial, the reality star captioned the post.

Karlies fans, however, were a little disappointed she caved in so quickly, including one fan who joking wrote, Omg!!! Lol I cant believe you let@spiceofficialget u in trouble like that!!!. They added, I knew yall were up to no good.lol Ill see u in the gym in the morning bread girl. While another user wrote, My god why you do itttt lolI love bread omg but starting tomorrow no more bread.

Despite the relapse, the reality star appears to be keeping with her overall health and figure. Over the past few months, Karlie has been blessing her timelines with stunning photos showing off her gorgeous beauty and curves. Two weeks ago, the television personality also shared a lovely picture of herself in a royal blue bathing suit. Karlie wore her hair in a royal blue short cut to match.

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Fans Are Left In Stitches After Spice Dares Karlie Redd to Break Her Diet with a Piece of Bread - Atlanta Black Star

The OTC drug and dietary supplement market was valued at US$ 2, 93,255. 40 million in 2019 and is projected to reach US$ 4, 92,102. 49 million by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6. 8% from 2020 to 2027.

New York, Sept. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "OTC Drug and Dietary Supplement Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Product ; Type ; Form ; Distribution Channel, and Geography" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05967899/?utm_source=GNW

The growth of the OTC drug and dietary supplements marketis mainly attributed to the factors such as growing awareness regarding general health issues and growing preference for non-prescription drugs over prescription drugs. However, the market is likely to get impacted by the drawbacks associated with the stringent FDA regulations related to safety and efficacy of OTC drugs during the forecast period.

Government and consumers mounting pressure on reducing pricing would help accelerate the prescription to OTC (Rx-to-OTC) transition.There is a widespread support for OTC usage among physicians for fever, cold/cough, and minor ailments of that nature; beyond that, the physicians do have some reservations.

Although there are generic prescription medications that are cheaper than OTC drugs, most of the OTC drugs are cheaper than prescription drugs.OTC drugs need to be ingested in lower dosages compared to prescription drugs.Although there are a few prescription drugs available as OTC drugs, their dosage requirements are much lower when sold OTC, than when they are bought via prescription.

In recent years, many prescription allergy medicines such as chlorpheniramine , cetirizine , fexofenadine among othershave been switched to OTC.According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, 81% of adults in the US use OTC medicines as their first line of treatment for minor illnesses.

On an average, consumers in the country make ~26 trips every year to buy OTC medications. Further, they visit their doctors roughly thrice per year.

Based on Product, the OTC drug and dietary supplement market is segmented into cough and cold products, vitamins and dietary supplements, analgesics, gastrointestinal products, sleep aids, oral care products, ophthalmic products, antacids, feminine care, and others.In 2019, the analgesicssegment accounted for the highest share of the market.

Growth of this segment is attributed to the growing awareness regarding general health issues related to body painand growing preference for non-prescription drugs over prescription drugs across the world. However, vitamins and dietary supplementssegment is likely to register the highest CAGR in the global OTC drug and dietary supplements market during the forecast period.

Based on type, the OTC drug and dietary supplementsmarket is segmented into branded and generic. The generic segment held a larger share of the market in 2019 and is estimated to register a higher CAGR of 7.1% in the market during the forecast period.

Based on form, the OTC drug and dietary supplementsmarket is segmented into tablets, capsules, powders, ointments, liquid, and others. The tablets segment held the largest share of the market in 2019 and is estimated to register the highest CAGR of 7.5% in the market during the forecast period.Based on distribution channel, the OTC drug and dietary supplements market is segmented into hospital and retail pharmacies, retail stores, online channels, and others. The hospital and retail pharmacies segment held the largest share of the market in 2019; whereas, theonline channels segment is estimated to register the highest CAGR of 7.5% in the market during the forecast period.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition consumer survey, National Center for Biotechnology Information, The Global Burden of Disease Study, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and World Health Organization (WHO), are among the major primary and secondary sources referred for preparing this report.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05967899/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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