Want to know the secret to longevity? Just rev up your diet with fresh fruits, green tea, fish and red wine. "Breast milk is responsible for higher IQ and leads to lesser chances of having diabetes, hypertension and asthma. It has long term advantages even when the baby grows up into an adult and therefore ensures longevity," says Dr Arun Soni, consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's Department of Neonatology.
"It is a complete food for babies. It is hygienic. It gives extra immunity to the body of the baby and protects them from illnesses," he says. Dr Seema Puri of Department of Nutrition at Institute of Home Economics says dietary adjustments may not only influence present health but may determine whether or not an individual will develop diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes much later in life. Puri recommends a high intake of vegetables (particularly wild plants), fruits, nuts and cereals mostly in the form of sourdough bread rather than pasta, more olives and olive oil, less milk more cheese, more fish and less meat. Consumption of specific foods like whole grains, vegetables and fruits, fish, green tea, red wine, soy, nuts and seeds, garlic and turmeric may also have a beneficial effect on health.