You may want to think twice before downing that processed burger and fries. What you eat today may affect your quality of life 10, 20 and even 40 years down the road. What nutrients should be in your diet? An Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) researcher points to those found in fruit and vegetables, including the polyphenols in MegaNatural-BP. Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D., director of IIT’s Center for Nutrition Research, discussed a healthy diet’s impact on longevity with two physicians on Sirius Satellite Radio. She confirmed that better diets may help extend quality of life.
During Burton-Freeman’s interview, a physician called in with questions: What is the latest scientific research regarding dietary recommendations? How will switching to these healthier foods affect longevity and quality of life?
The health professionals discussed how dietary recommendations have changed over the years, and how they may continue to change. While experts once encouraged people to base their diets on whole-grain foods, many now warn against it. Consuming too many carbohydrates has been shown to increase inflammation. Many experts now point to the Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in antioxidant-rich foods such as nuts, grapes and extra virgin olive oil.
Burton-Freeman stressed that diet is essential, and continued research is confirming this. “As we do more research we become smarter, we learn new things and we have to modify some of our recommendations,” she said. “What’s solid, and has been solid for years, is the idea of fruits and vegetables at the center of your plate.” She also suggested a diet rich in simple foods – those with a limited ingredient list – and rich in fiber. “Not that other things can’t be in your diet, but they certainly needs to be in moderation,” she added.
Studying diets’ effect on longevity is a significant undertaking. “We looked at some of the epidemiology to give us some answers to that, and it looks like certainly quality of life is extended with better diets versus the poorer diets.”
Burton-Freeman studies the effect of nutrients, such as polyphenols, in the body. Polyphenols, found naturally in fruits and vegetables, are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Grape seed extract is one of the largest natural sources of polyphenols. The patented standardized grape seed extracts used in her human clinical, MegaNatural-BP is sourced from U.S. grapes that are sustainably farmed.
