Introduction
The #1 vegetable eaten by the world’s longest living people is a nutrient-packed powerhouse that has been a staple in diets for centuries. This vegetable is none other than the sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are incredibly versatile. They can be boiled, mashed, baked, or even fried. Sweet potatoes are also incredibly affordable and can be found in most grocery stores. Eating sweet potatoes regularly can help you live a longer, healthier life. In this article, we’ll discuss the health benefits of sweet potatoes, how to incorporate them into your diet, and some delicious recipes to try.
The #1 Vegetable Eaten by the World’s Longest Living People — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking to live a long and healthy life, you may want to consider adding more of this vegetable to your diet. The world’s longest living people have been eating this vegetable for centuries, and it’s no wonder why. This vegetable is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and it’s low in calories and fat. So what is this miracle vegetable? It’s none other than the humble sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. They’re also high in fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full for longer. Sweet potatoes are also a great source of complex carbohydrates, which provide your body with a steady supply of energy throughout the day. Plus, they’re low in calories and fat, making them a great choice for those looking to lose weight.
Sweet potatoes are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. They can be boiled, mashed, roasted, or even baked. They can also be used in soups, stews, and casseroles. Sweet potatoes are also a great addition to salads, stir-fries, and even smoothies. The possibilities are endless!
So if you’re looking to live a long and healthy life, consider adding more sweet potatoes to your diet. They’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and they’re low in calories and fat. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. So what are you waiting for? Start eating more sweet potatoes today!
If you want to learn a thing or two about living a long, healthy life, looking to the world’s Blue Zone regions may be a great place to start. These five regions across the globe have the highest concentrations of centenarians (people to live to 100) and some of the lowest rates of diseases like heart disease and dementia.
One of the healthy pillars that all these regions have in common is their daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, which some communities grow and harvest themselves. Not only are they eating more local, non-processed produce, but they are incorporating natural movement into their daily life.
And one of the most common vegetables eaten among the world’s longest-living people in the Blue Zones is squash. While our minds may go to the butternut or yellow squash that we are most used to, each Blue Zone region has its own local squash varieties that provide unique benefits to the people in the community.
Kobacha Squash in Okinawa, Japan
One of the more common squash varieties in Okinawa is kabocha squash, also known to some as Japanese pumpkin. According to Blue Zone researchers, this squash contains helpful vitamins, iron, and fiber, which is why it’s known for helping to flush out harmful toxins and even help to reduce inflammation.
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Butter squash in Ikaria, Greece
Many people on the Greek island of Ikaria dine on winter squash varieties like butter squash. Winter squash can come in many forms, but most of them have similar health components and benefits.
Squash is often a helpful source of vitamin C and A, as well as fiber and helpful antioxidants. Many squash varieties like butter squash also contain a pigment called beta carotene, which your body can convert into more vitamin A. Research has found that consuming beta carotene can help with things like cognitive health and lowering inflammation.
Ayote in Nicoya, Costa Rica
In Nicoya, people consume a lot of squash as well. Most squash there is similar to a winter squash variety and is often referred to as ayote. According to Blue Zone researchers, Nicoyans regularly eat ayote as part of the “three sisters.”
The three sisters is a nickname for squash, corn, and beans, which are three foods often grown and consumed together in Nicoya, Costa Rica. These three items are known to provide the perfect amount of nutrients-fiber, fat, and vitamins from squash, fiber and protein from beans, and carbohydrates from corn.
As you can see, squash comes in plenty of varieties but always provides high levels of important nutrients and vitamins, which is why it makes perfect sense that it would be part of the daily diets held by the world’s longest-living people.
And if you want to try some delicious squash yourself, check out this Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash recipe or any of these 20 Healthy Butternut Squash recipes.