A centenarian has shared his insights on the diet he attributes to his impressive longevity, with scientific studies providing support.
The concept of the Elixir of Life, a mythical potion granting eternal life, has been a recurring theme in ancient lore and popular culture, such as the Harry Potter series.
Despite the allure of living forever, achieving immortality through a magical drink is not feasible today.
However, there are effective strategies one can adopt to enhance life expectancy, including maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding harmful behaviors like smoking or drug use.
An individual from Great Britain has credited a particular food for his ability to reach his 100th birthday.
Albert Stiles, a resident of a care home in Bristol, England, marked this significant milestone on October 1 and expressed how surreal it feels to reach 100 years of age.
“It doesn’t seem possible really. I thought when I retired at 50 years old that I may live to 70 years and a bit, but this feels very unreal to have made it to 100,” Stiles shared with CareUK, reflecting on his past as a religious education teacher.
During the conversation, Stiles divulged his key to longevity.
“Living a wholesome life but eating beetroot might have helped,” he said.
His statement is corroborated by scientific research, which highlights the benefits of this particular vegetable.
Beetroot is known for its high levels of dietary nitrate.
A 2017 study from Cambridge University Press demonstrated that nitrates can substantially lower systolic blood pressure.
Research leads Ann Ashworth and Raul Bescos noted, “A small, downward shift in systolic blood pressure across the population could significantly reduce the incidence of hypertension and mortality from CVD such as stroke.”
Another study by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that dietary nitrates could enhance blood flow in the brains of older adults.
Participants consumed a high-nitrate diet, including beetroot juice, before undergoing brain MRI scans, which suggested that dietary nitrate might enhance blood flow in oxygen-deprived areas, potentially slowing cognitive decline.
Speaking about the potential health benefits of incorporating beetroot into one’s daily diet, Katie Lansley, a PhD student, told The Express: “What we’ve seen in studies is that beetroot juice can actually reduce the amount of oxygen you need to perform even low-intensity exercise.
“In principle, this effect could help people do things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.
“While we haven’t yet measured the effects on the elderly or those with heart or lung conditions, there is the potential for a positive impact in these populations which we intend to go on and investigate further.”
It seems Stiles might have tapped into his own version of the Elixir of Life!