Why not have the luck of health and eat green! The color green symbolizes growth, harmony, nature, freshness, and fertility--and we can thank our lucky charms for Mother Nature's abundance of delicious green antioxidant-rich plants. Plus, foods that are green boast a bonanza of phytonutrients and cancer-fighting compounds. Get in the spirit of the shamrock season by eating greens that will boost your longevity.
Why Go Green?
Popeye was certainly onto something with his love of spinach. We all know how important it is to eat our greens, and countless studies prove the power of these cancer-fighting plants. One health-giving compound found in plants is chlorophyll, which is responsible for the green pigment in plants. Chlorophyll resembles the structure of the iron-containing hemoglobin in the human body and increases blood cell production, improves oxygenation, detoxification, and circulation. Also, many green foods contain lutein, a phytochemical that helps reduce risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. The darker the food, the better the lutein content.
Whether you’re a fan of kale, bok choy, or broccoli, make sure to get your daily dose of greens. Aim to get at least three cups of green vegetables and two cups of fresh fruit every day. Try mixing some romaine with a crunchy sour green apple or throw a handful of green grapes into your arugula salad for a delicious boost of phytochemicals. In addition, green herbs like cilantro, rosemary, and parsley boast their own healing properties. Try sprinkling some tarragon into your omelet or chop some cilantro into your guacamole. Greens also boost your energy level, which is important for living a long, happy life.
Go Nuts for Green
A relative of the mango fruit, the pistachio is called the “happy nut” in China. Explorers and traders along the Ancient Silk Road that connected China and the West transported pistachios, eventually spreading them through most of the world. Pistachios are chock full of fiber, copper, manganese, phosphorous, B6, thiamin, and niacin. They also contain 90% of the healthy monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats that will have your heart beating with joy!
Another green crunchy snack: pumpkin seeds, also known as “pepitas.” You don’t have to wait for Halloween to enjoy the health benefits of these flat, dark green seeds. Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium, zinc, protein, phosphorous, and tryptophan. They are also an excellent source of phytosterols, which are plant hormones. In fact, researchers from the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry have found that pumpkin seeds and pistachios are some of the richest sources of phytosterols. Add a few tablespoons to your grains, yogurt, or salad. For a scrumptious and creamy dressing try the following recipe.
Delightfully Green Dressing
Grind two tablespoons of pumpkin seeds with two cloves of garlic, one bunch of fresh parsley, half a bunch of cilantro, and the juice of one large lemon. Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and pour over your favorite salad greens.
Green Tea
Tea goes back to China almost 5,000 years ago. Herbal teas were specially blended from plants that exhibited medicinal properties to maintain health and prevent illness. Green tea has been under the research spotlight for years. Its health benefits range from improving cardiovascular health, cancer, weight management, diabetes, and most recently, eye health. Green tea contains a polyphenol called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has been shown to boost metabolism. Clinical trials in the University of Geneva and University of Birmingham demonstrated that green tea increased metabolic rates and fat oxidation. Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition observed 10 men who drank green tea extract, took a 50 mg capsule of caffeine, or took a placebo pill. Those who drank green tea extract demonstrated a 4% increase in thermogenesis, the number of calories burned by the body. Drink a cup of green tea to live long and burn calories!
Bonus Tip: To further support your weight loss goals, you may benefit from the herbal formulation B-Slim, a nutrient-rich dietary supplement designed to be part of a sensible overall weight management program.
Sea Full of Greens
Algae-related super foods like chlorella and spirulina are very high in folate and protein. Spirulina is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12, vitamins C, D, and E. It is also very rich in calcium, potassium, iron and zinc. Like most green plants, chlorella is an excellent source of chlorophyll. You don’t need to go scuba diving to find these aquatic delights, because they are available in supplement form. A typical dosage recommendation includes 4 - 7 grams of either super food daily. You can also sometimes find these in powdered form, which you can add to water, juice, or green tea. Children shouldn’t take more than one gram, while pregnant and nursing women should speak to their physician before taking any supplement.
I hope that you will continue to color your health green by enjoying a variety of nature’s delicious delights!
You can find many more colorful ways to live to 100 in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, which is now available on Kindle. If you are interested in a lifestyle program, designed to transform your health and lengthen your years, check out my new book Secrets of Longevity 8-Week Program.
I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
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