Scientists Share 50 Food Facts To Help You Live Longer

Nutritional all-stars.

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1 TURMERIC “The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties that protect against many ailments ranging from heart disease to cancer. Turmeric is rich in antioxidants and is a recognized preservative. Kokum is another fruit that’s rich in antioxidants, fibre and has anti-allergy properties. You can substitute it with tamarind when cooking.”

Dharini Krishnan, Chennai-based dietician

2 SPROUTS “Sprouts are little food factories because they create vitamins and enzymes within themselves. The enzymes help with digestion as they help break down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. One serving of sprouts is enough to meet an average adult’s recommended daily need of 40 mg of vitamin C. Sprouts increase the levels of vitamin B in the body phenomenally, almost by 20–30 per cent, particularly with regard to vitamin B1, folic acid and biotin.”

ISHI KHOSLA, Delhi-based clinical nutritionist in The Diet Doctor

3 FISH “In one large study, pub-lished in the Journal of the American Medical Association, having at least one fish meal a week was associated with a 60 per cent reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” Other studies have found that eating fish slashes your chance of dying from heart disease by about a third.

MARTHA CLARE MORRIS, SCD, director of the Section of Nutrition and Nutritional Epidemiology at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago