Blue Zone skilled shares ‘worst meals’ – and one other key for longevity | UK | News | EUROtoday

A long life specialist has dispelled a standard false impression about an on a regular basis meals merchandise. Dan Buettner, 65, has devoted years to finding out the life-style habits of centenarians with a purpose to assist others lengthen their lifespan.

He’s beforehand addressed on social media that, among the many myriad of myths circulating, one explicit meals group is usually unjustly demonised, with the complete story often ignored. Surprisingly, this meals is carbohydrates – or carbs – which Dan asserts are essential for longevity.

“I don’t blame Americans for being confused about carbohydrates because both jelly beans and lentil beans are carbohydrates,” Dan stated in a TikTok final 12 months. “Simple carbohydrates are the worst foods in our diet.

“Complex carbohydrates are the meals we all know which have fuelled the longest-lived locations on the planet, the Blue Zones. So if you wish to reside a very long time, you desire a high-carb eating regimen.” He later claimed: “And we’ll see you whenever you’re 100.”

The key difference between simple and complex carbohydrates lies in the structures of their sugar molecules. Complex carbs are made up of long chains, and studies suggest that consuming them can help curb cravings for unhealthy snacks.

Conversely, simple carbs usually comprise just one or two linked molecules. They are rapidly broken down and used as energy, but can lead to swift spikes in blood sugar levels. The European Food Safety Authority suggests that people typically consume around 260g of carbohydrates daily, though this can fluctuate based on factors such as age, sex, and physical activity levels.

Further advice from Bupa UK also adds: “Aim to make starchy meals – ideally wholegrain starchy carbohydrates – a few third of your eating regimen. Include issues like wholemeal bread, brown pasta, or brown rice in each meal, in addition to some vegetables and fruit.

“In general, a portion of carbohydrate for one meal should be about the size of your fist. The exact amount you need differs from person to person.”

Meanwhile, steering from the American Heart Association advises: “The type of carbohydrates you eat can impact your health. Foods that contain high amounts of simple carbs (added sugars), especially fructose, raise triglyceride levels, which may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.”

It provides: “Added sugars provide calories, but lack vitamins, minerals and fibre and can lead to weight gain. Naturally occurring sugars are in nutritious foods, including fruit and milk.”

Wholegrain bread, brown rice, oats, wholewheat cereals, and potatoes with their skins are examples of advanced carbohydrates. On the opposite hand, easy carbs may embrace sweets, truffles, biscuits and white pasta or bread.

In a earlier TikTok, Dan additional claimed: “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that people who live the longest, that we can actually record, were eating mostly complex carbohydrates. But the problem is the doughnuts and the cakes and the candies give carbohydrates a bad name.

He then continued: “You want fats, you additionally want protein, however you have to be consuming principally advanced carbohydrates should you truly need to reside to 100.”

You can also learn more about starchy foods and carbohydrates at the NHS website here.

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