IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS MONTH...
Want to squeeze more years out of life? Try pink grapefruit. Good for more than switching up the slice in your G&T, this citrus fruit is packed with plant pigments called carotenoids, newly revealed in research to help slow ageing at a molecular level. Scientists at Seoul University analysed blood sample data from thousands of adults and discovered a correlation between carotenoid intake and the length of your telomeres (read: protective caps at the end of each DNA strand, guarding your chromosomes). The faster these telomeres shorten – thus exposing your precious DNA to damage – the more rapidly biological ageing takes place, making you more susceptible to age-related disease. The researchers found that people with the highest concentrations of beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin in their bloodstream – all carotenoids present in grapefruit, as well as the likes of carrots and tomatoes – had telomeres up to 8% longer than those with the lowest concentrations. In other words, there’s a link between the amount of carotenoids (and retro breakfasts) you consume and your life expectancy – whatever way you slice it.