​5 health facts about the world’s number one longevity food

Longevity thrives on minimalism, and the best example is the food eaten by some of the world's longest living people. The diet pattern of the five blue zones shares many similarities, and the ingredients they use is one of them. Longevity expert Dan Buettner believes a humble ingredient used by centenarians is the world’s number one longevity food. The food item is simple, affordable, easy to cook and even delicious. It’s beans!

The American Heart Association recommends beans and other legumes as part of a healthy eating pattern. The AHA mentions that beans are high in minerals and dietary fiber without the saturated fat and cholesterol.
Adding beans to your diet may also help you feel full longer because of the high dietary fiber content.

UCLA Health notes that beans are a great source of plant-based protein, and for someone who’s trying to reduce their consumption of meat, beans are a great option. A serving of beans averages about 8 grams of protein.

Bluezones.com notes that the more color the beans have, the higher the antioxidant content is. A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that black bean hulls contain 40 times the amount of antioxidants found in white bean hulls.

According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, beans are high in iron, which is great for patients with iron-deficiency anemia. Edamame, or soybeans, have the most iron per serving, at 9 mg, with lentils and white beans tied for second with about 3.5 mg each.

UCLA Health notes that beans can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar, prevent constipation, help manage weight and even protect against colon cancer. People in the blue zones consume about a cup of beans per day.