A long life of wine, chocolate and spicy foods
Apparently, I’m going to live forever. My aunt Christine had posted an article from CondeNastTraveler.com on Facebook with the headline, “Can a diet of champagne, chocolate, and spicy foods keep you alive forever?”
I sure hope so.
I clicked on it of course. Because champagne, chocolate and spicy foods are among my favorite things.
The magazine article supposed that with the holidays around the corner, feasting is on everyone’s mind. (I think about food pretty much all of the time, but sure.)
But instead of turkey dinners, author Meredith Carey looked at scientific studies about different foods and put together the ultimate holiday dementia preventing, life-enhancing menu.
Start with red wine. (Oh, all right. Twist my arm.)
Studies say it is loaded with antioxidants. It boosts the immune system, increases bone density, lowers cholesterol, improves cognitive function, promotes longevity and reduces the risk of stroke, heart disease and cancer. Imagine. All that in one little glass. The study I like best says drinking a glass of red wine has the same physical benefits as working out for an hour at the gym. (Cheers to that.)
Eat spicy foods six or seven times a week, and studies say you’d lower your risk of cancer and heart disease. (Pass the Cholula, please.)
And then chocolate for dessert, which is supposed to make you smarter, improve memory, boost the brain’s blood supply and reduce blood pressure. (Ferrero Rocher anyone?)
The article made other suggestions I could get on board with.
A Mediterranean diet of vegetables, fish and healthy fats, could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and breast cancer and nearly halve the risk of heart disease.
Champagne could ward off memory loss and dementia.
Reading articles like that is fun, but I know drinking wine and eating spicy foods and chocolate won’t make me immortal. But I will put my faith in science and give it a try.