Chow down, live longer
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Here is some diet advice you can sink your teeth into: Polishing off more chocolate, nuts, blueberries, and wine can help you live longer, reports a new study in the Journal of Nutrition.
Researchers found that people who consumed a daily diet high in polyphenols -- an antioxidant chemical found in many plants -- reduced their risk of overall mortality by 30 percent compared to subjects whose diets contained low amounts.
Now, we've known for a while that polyphenols are linked to a reduction of diseases like cancer and diabetes. They can help regulate the immune system, and "they have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogetic properties," said study author Cristina Andres-Lacueva. So it's no wonder that eating lots of polyphenols would lower your risk of dying. (Find out how cocoa polyphenols can also lower your risk of anxiety.)
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What we didn't know was exactly how much we should consume. According to this study, the magic amount is at least 650 mg a day -- or about five or six servings. Don't worry: That doesn't mean you need to chow down on a head of broccoli after reading this.
The key is to get the recommended amount from a variety of sources, said Andres-Lacueva. Luckily, many of the foods and drinks you love are chock-full of polyphenols. (Here are more foods with amazing -- and scientifically proven -- health benefits: Check out the 40 Foods with Superpowers.)
Check out this list of 16 items to find your favorites.