Secrets of Longevity: The world’s healthiest breakfast
In a remote corner of Nicoya, Costa Rica, people enjoy a breakfast that might have significant health benefits. Under the canopy of a red-tiled roof, a few locals start their mornings at 4 a.m. to prepare a breakfast that holds the key to longevity. What makes this hearty breakfast so healthy?
The Recipe for Longevity
The breakfast consists of nixtamal tortillas, Gallo pinto, and a tender bean, potato, and onion stew, each of which brings health benefits. A woman working with mechanized precision to prepare a perfectly rounded patty of dough had become part of the daily routine. The patty was then cooked on a clay plate, expanding into a puffy disc before collapsing into a perfect tortilla.
The Black Beans: Rich in Anthocyanins
The black beans cooked over the fire contain the same pigment-based anthocyanins (antioxidants) that are found in blueberries. They are rich in nutrients, known for colon cleansing, and for lowering blood pressure and regulating insulin.
The Nixtamal Amino Acids
From the process of cooking the corn dough with wood ash to produce the nixtamal, these amino acids help to improve digestion.
Gallo Pinto
A rice and beans recipe that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this traditional Costa Rican dish is filled with flavor and nutrients. Topped with eggs and Salsa Lizano, the dish contains a combination of healthful ingredients.
Tender Bean, Potato, and Onion Stew
Made from a staple Costa Rican food, this bean stew is high in antioxidants and good for regulating insulin and lowering blood pressure. The ingredients, such as dried kidney beans, chayote squash, sweet peppers, and potatoes, are easy to cook and are cost-effective.
The secrets behind the longevity of the Nicoya people are unlocked through their traditional recipes. The preparation and consumption of these dishes each have healthful benefits that offer a balanced diet. Researcher Dan Buettner studied the habits of people who live to 100 years or older and discovered the connection between their longevity and the local fare.
While it was once believed that moderate exercise and consuming low calories were the key to living longer, longevity researchers argue that the crucial factors for a longer, healthier life are highly connected to one’s diet and lifestyle. Costa Rica can provide a lesson to the rest of the world with the availability and affordable prices of the food used in these longevity breakfast recipes. A flavor-rich, health-giving meal can be well within everyone’s reach.
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