I'm A Longevity Expert: These Are My Top Underrated Foods For Living Longer

Every time we have the privilege of sitting down with longevity expert, National Geographic fellow, and founder of Blue Zones Dan Buettner, we learn something new. We've become pretty well versed in everything Blue Zones over the years (this is Buettner's fourth time on the mindbodygreen podcast, after all), and yet—he continues to surprise us with his gems for living a longer and healthier life. 

"Sourdough bread is leavened not just with yeast but lactobacillus, and in the process, most of the glutens are neutralized," says Buettner. Research shows this process can actually assist digestion1—that's why some people with gluten sensitivity might actually fare well with a slice of sourdough, as the fermentation transforms the bread and causes the gluten to diminish substantially. 

Milk thistle is a little more complicated on the longevity front. Says Buettner: "I cannot tell you why for sure, I can just tell you that it's highly associated with making it to a hundred [years old]." We'll wager it has something to do with milk thistle's ability to protect the liver and assist with your body's natural detoxification process. 

Plenty of longevity experts are quick to sing the praises of coffee—the drink is rich in antioxidants, and ​​regular consumption has been associated with an improved life span2. But according to Buettner, how you brew is important: Specifically, he touts Ikaria coffee, or commonly referred to as "Turkish coffee."  

Of course, we'd be remiss not to include the beloved avocado. Buettner deems it a "magical" fruit full of good, healthy fats—like oleic acid, for example, a monounsaturated fat that's A+ for heart and brain health. In fact, a small study published in the journal Nutrients4 found that daily consumption of oleic acid could help protect cognitive functioning in elderly adults.

Surprised? Us, too. But as Buettner declares: "The best longevity food is the food you're going to eat." And when it comes to convenience, bananas are one of the most accessible fruits out there (assuming you enjoy the flavor). 

"They come in their own packaging," jokes Buettner, and they're full of soluble fiber. "I wouldn't say it's the only fruit you should eat, but I would say that having a bowl full of fruit sitting on your table is a much better pull than having a toaster on your counter or a bag of chips in a clip," he says. "Convenience is one of the most important elements of eating healthy."