Discover the top five foods for longevity an expert says are best for women to eat for healthy aging.

Plus, a few foods to avoid.

The FDA Just Banned Red Dye No.

alt

3: The Future of Processed Foods

Is Red Wine Any Healthier for You Than White Wine?

Proffee Is the Hottest New Beverage Trendbut Should You Really Be Adding Protein to Your Coffee?

Our editors independently select these products.

alt

longevity expert and author ofAGELESS AGING: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan

(After all, studies showU.S.

women live an average of six years longer than men1.)

4 best foods for boosting longevity for women

1.

An image of four wine glasses on a wooden surface

That means plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, Dychtwald says.

The key?Polyphenols.

Dychtwald tries to add a source of polyphenols into every meal.

Young woman mixing ice coffee

I add veggies, in particular, to everything from smoothies to soups, from salads to eggs.

Fermented foods

Dychtwald recommendseating fermented foodslike kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt for a longer, healthier life.

They work wonders for your digestion, and who doesnt want great digestion and gut health, she says.

Cropped shot of young woman shopping in the dairy section of a supermarket. She is reading the nutrition label on a container of fresh organic healthy natural yoghurt

longevity expert and author ofAGELESS AGING: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan

The FDA Is Speeding up Approval of Natural Food DyesHeres What you better Know

4.

Protein

Adultsnaturally lose muscle massas they age, so theres a greater need toup ones protein intake.

However, she says itsadded, refined sugarthat should be approached with caution.

Two cups with coffee and green tea on a beige background.

So read carefully before purchasing, Dychtwald says.

Dychtwald also tends to skip the happy hour drinks as much as possible.

Alcohol has gotten a lot of attention recently as a no-no.

red pigment in a wooden spoon

But above all, she argues a positive mindset on aging is just as importantif not morethan everything else.

An RDs guide to eating for inflammation:

Yan, Brandon W et al.

Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US, 2010-2021.JAMA internal medicinevol.

184,1 (2024): 108-110. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.6041

Zhang, Boya et al.

Comparison of Particulate Air Pollution From Different Emission Sources and Incident Dementia in the US.JAMA internal medicinevol.

183,10 (2023): 1080-1089. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3300

Rajendran, Peramaiyan et al.

Polyphenols as Potent Epigenetics Agents for Cancer.International journal of molecular sciencesvol.

3 Oct. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijms231911712

Wastyk, Hannah C et al.

Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status.Cellvol.

184,16 (2021): 4137-4153.e14.

doi:10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.019

Paul, Alok K et al.

Are Fermented Foods Effective against Inflammatory Diseases?.International journal of environmental research and public healthvol.

30 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijerph20032481

Badal, Varsha D et al.

The Gut Microbiome, Aging, and Longevity: A Systematic Review.Nutrientsvol.

7 Dec. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12123759

Mar-Solis, Laura M et al.

20 Oct. 2021, doi:10.3390/medicina57111138

Reale, Marcella et al.

Relationship of Wine Consumption with Alzheimers Disease.Nutrientsvol.

13 Jan. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12010206

Topiwala, Anya et al.

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.