The Lifestyle Hack to Living LONGER and BETTER!
You’ve probably guessed by now… I’m NOT a fan of fad diets.
When I decide what to eat, I follow what is supported by science, would have been eaten by my ancestors, and will make my body feel good.
But for many folks, it’s easiest to follow a structured plan. And if that’s you, I’ve got you covered.
Because there’s one diet with scientifically-backed benefits that’s stood the test of time.
I regularly recommend this approach. I like to call it common sense eating, and studies confirm following it can lead to a longer life and lower risk of disease.
In fact, this diet has recently been tied to a LOWER risk of all-cause mortality and cancer.
There’s a lot about the Mediterranean diet that I like.
The first is that it’s NOT vegetarian. While this diet does include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains… it also has healthy amounts of seafood, nuts, legumes, and poultry.
And yes, it even encourages moderate amounts of meat, eggs, and dairy (shocker!).
I might change up the proportions a bit to optimize things. But all in all, the Mediterranean diet is an excellent option if you like to follow a specific plan.
And you’ll DEFINITELY appreciate the benefits confirmed by a recent study.
Researchers found that following the Mediterranean lifestyle is associated with a…
- 29 percent lower risk of dying from ANY cause, and a
- 28 percent lower risk of developing cancer.
What I found really interesting about this study was that it looked at both the Mediterranean diet AND lifestyle.
So, in addition to assessing the benefits of following the diet itself, the researchers ALSO analyzed the benefits of two other factors:
- Following Mediterranean eating habits.
- Getting plenty of physical activity, good sleep, social interaction, and participating in the general friendliness of the culture.
All three categories individually reduced the risk of mortality.
But can you guess the one that led to the greatest risk reduction for mortality and cancer?
Number three!
This highlights a point I’m constantly trying to drive home: Lifestyle is one of the most (if not THE most) important factors in your quest for a healthier, longer life.
Slow down. Enjoy your food, family, hobbies, and rest.
Do those things, and you’ll find that you’re living LONGER and BETTER.
P.S. Could love be the answer to your health problems? The research points to “YES!” 6 reasons to boost your “Love Hormone” levels.
SOURCE:
“Association of a Mediterranean Lifestyle with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Study from the UK Biobank,” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Published: August 16, 2023, doi. org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.05.031
