In case you needed it, now there's even more evidence that eating your fruits and vegetables, as well as staying active, all improve your longevity.
Research published this month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society studied the effects of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity on mortality, in a group of 713 women between the ages of 70 and 79 years. According to the research abstract, after five years of follow-up, the investigators found that women with the highest blood levels of carotenoids in their blood - a marker of fruit and vegetable intake - were less likely to die, as were the women who were most active.
A surprise? Not at all, as considerable past research has shown that people who regularly do 15-30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, as well as following the guidelines for an anti-aging diet, tend to avoid life-threatening diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Read more: How many calories do I need to eat, or expend, as I age?
Source:
Emily J. Nicklett et al. "Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Physical Activity, and Mortality in Older Community-Dwelling Women." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 60, Issue 5, pages 862-868, May 2012
