Pile On the Produce

Participants in a Vanderbilt University study who ate the most fruits and vegetables had a 15% lower risk of dying compared to people who ate less produce. Other studies break it down into produce’s specific disease-fighting benefits from nutrients, antioxidants, and other natural compounds. Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, help fight cancer. Eating black-eyed peas, lentils, and artichokes may decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack. Sweet potatoes and beet greens (good sources of potassium) help lower blood pressure. For best longevity benefits, take a painterly approach, filling your plate with all the colors of the rainbow.

The Longevity Fix:  Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables at meals. Need more specifics? Check out the government’s fruit and vegetable calculator. 

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