The longevity diet prioritizes foods that support a longer lifespan. This equates to a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, vegetable fats, like olive oil, nuts, and very little white meat, shares Medical News Today. However, there are some foods that should be avoided, such as processed or red meat, and be sure to limit the low amounts of refined carbs and sugars. But this doesn’t mean carbohydrates should be excluded altogether. Everyday Health explains that carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet and this diet prioritizes carbs from whole foods rather than processed foods.
One 2022 study published in PLOS Medicine found that when food choices are optimized in Western culture starting by age 20, the life expectancy of young adults can increase by roughly a decade. Older adults who start the longevity diet by 60 years old may be able to increase life expectancy by approximately eight years.
When it comes to fasting, the longevity diet suggests eating in a 12-hour window (per Medical News Today). This feeding window is then followed by a 12-hour fast window. It should be done four or three times a year, points out Everyday Health. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet and remember, diet is only part of the longevity equation. Relationships, healthy habits, and finding purpose also play a role in enhancing longevity.
