If you are what you eat, then choosing healthy foods is a no-brainer. What are the most important foods for feeling great and living longer? The answers may surprise you.

Legumes

It turns out that beans really are a magical “fruit,” but not for the reasons you think:

High in fiber: It only takes one cup of beans to give you over half of your daily fiber. Getting plenty of fiber is good for your digestive health, bowel movements and overall comfort.
Low in fat: Legumes have tons of protein and little fat. Adding beans, chickpeas or lentils to the menu can help you stay satisfied after mealtimes, a huge help for losing weight.
Rich in nutrients: Beans give you significant calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, folate and B vitamins. They also have a surprising amount of antioxidants that can potentially help protect the body from age-related diseases.
Great for your gut: Beans help the positive bacteria in your gut. That way, harmful bacteria have a harder time making you sick.

High-fiber foods such as beans may help prevent colon cancer and other cancers. Legumes can also lower your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, improving heart health. They make even help you avoid type 2 diabetes.

Berries (and Other Sweet Fruits)

For ages, Americans have had the idea that “sweet” equals “bad.” This is true in the case of junk food, but it’s not true for fruits. You never need to feel guilty about indulging your sweet tooth with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries and other “sinfully” sweet fruits.

Even bananas, the number one fruit villain for the “It’s too sweet!” crowd, are perfectly fine for morning smoothies. The same goes for mangos, pineapples, papayas, grapes, dates and figs.

How can sweet fruits get away with breaking the “no sugar for life” secret handshake? Fiber. The high amount of fiber in fruit takes your body time to digest, meaning you don’t get the same rush of glucose or sugar crash of candy bars.

Plus, blueberries, grapes, pineapples and bananas give you tons of valuable nutrients that can help you live longer. Berries are especially rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, that helps your immune system, heart and brain. These nutrients can lower chronic inflammation, protect your memory and take great care of your arteries.

Healthy Fats

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “she's out of her mind!” How can fats ever be healthy? Well, some are.

Sure, greasy, fried foods are bad for you because manufacturers and fast-food restaurants choose cheap oils. On the other hand, many natural foods contain different types of fats, ones that your body loves:

Extra-virgin olive oil
Avocados
Nuts
Salmon
Mackerel
Trout
Whole eggs
Cheese

Good fats such as omega-3s help your heart instead of hurting it. They’re amazing for lowering cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and inflammation, reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke significantly.

The Benefits of Weird Superfoods

It’s no exaggeration to say that these superfoods can make you live longer. Many studies suggest that healthy foods have the power to add an extra 10 years to your life (or more)!

Making positive choices at the supermarket can also help you feel better overall. Enjoy amazing benefits for your mood, immune system, energy levels, mental focus and pain relief every day.

As a superfood, people know avocado has several health benefits. However, the fruit is capable of much more than tasting delicious and contributing to overall health and nutrition. With its impressive list of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, avocado can bolster skin health, making it an effective addition to your skincare regimen.

The beauty industry is aware of the many benefits of avocado, which is why avocado oil is a primary ingredient in many skincare lines. The unique makeup of the fruit, including the incredible stores of vitamin A, C, and E, helps the oil penetrate the skin more efficiently than other oils. Also, avocados are high in healthy fats. The nutritional punch and concentration of avocados combine to create a powerful skincare ingredient that promotes several benefits.

1. Avocado Can Soothe Skin Irritation

According to researchers, avocados' fats, vitamins, and compounds help ease surface inflammation and skin irritation. The ingredients can also help repair the skin from chronic conditions like acne and eczema. Some studies also suggest that avocados can even out skin tones and improve chapped skin.

2. Avocados Reduce Acne and Breakouts

Avocado oil also has antimicrobial properties, meaning you can use it as a cleanser. Using products that contain avocado oil can reduce the number of breakouts you experience and their severity. Also, the ingredient can help moisturize the skin, providing a more supple texture.

3. Avocados Prevent Skin Damage

Most people know the sun's UV rays can harm their skin. The damage from too much sun exposure can include premature aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer. According to reports, the combination of vitamin C and E, along with other compounds in avocados, can protect your skin against oxidative stress, which is often a result of sun exposure and other environmental factors.

4. Avocados Can Improve Elasticity

A high intake of healthy fats, primarily monounsaturated fats, can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. A 2010 study looked at the relationship between diet and skin condition. The study of over 700 women examined the intake of micronutrients, including fats and antioxidants, to determine the effect on the skin, and the results were positive, suggesting improved elasticity.

5. Avocados Prevent Dry Skin and Brittle Hair and Nails

Avocado oil is a wonderful moisturizer and can benefit dry skin. The primary reason for this benefit is biotin. Biotin is part of the vitamin B complex and, when applied topically, prevents dry skin. The compound also contributes to the strength of hair and nails, meaning it can help treat or correct brittleness.

6. Avocados Improve Overall Skin Health

When looking for an avocado-based product to help with overall skin health, look for a topical product with cold-pressed avocado oil as a primary ingredient. Cold-pressed oil maintains an abundance of plant sterols, antioxidants, minerals, omega-9, and vitamins, including C and E. The combination of compounds, nutrients, and minerals increases collagen production and cell turnover and reduces inflammation.

Avocados are more than a superfood. The fruit is also a premier skin treatment and ingredient. If you have not yet used avocado-based skincare products, you should. Talk to your doctor before trying new products or supplements to learn how they might interact with your current health.

Tag: Superfood

3 Surprising Foods for a Longer, Healthier and Happier Life