There is no doubt that a proportionally high number of people who live to be older than 100 years of age live in China. The interest in Chinese centenarians has increased as more studies focus on the excellent health they maintain. The very old in China live active and independent lives. At the epicenter of Chinese longevity, Bama County in Guangxi province, the ratio of centenarians is 30.8 per 100,000, far exceeding the international standard of 25 per 100,000 persons. In an unusual form of tourism, travelers visit to learn the nutrition secrets of the venerable seniors.
What are They Eating?
The Bama centenarians and other very old Chinese people show a lifestyle that is active, happy, serene and simple. Generally they eat a diet that is high in fiber, low in fat--especially animal fat--and high in omega oils 3 and 6. Their diet is low in sugar, high in vitamins and mineral substances and low in salt. It is very fresh.
They do not use dietary supplements to acquire these nutritional benefits, but find them in the food they eat. These centenarians eat whole grains, many kinds of legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Very few animal products are consumed and the diet is semi-vegetarian.
The Chinese centenarians do not consume large meals or eat to the point of feeling full.
Typical meals are comprised of lightly cooked vegetables with corn, brown rice or hemp, often cooked in a porridge. They use a lot of freshly picked, organically grown peppers, pumpkin, tomatoes, amaranth, guava, pears, bananas and grapes. The produce is grown in soil that is very high in minerals, manganese, and especially zinc -- nutrients that help break down food. Omega 3 and 6 are derived from the hemp oil pressed from seeds.
In one area a porridge of rice, barley and corn flour is consumed twice a day. Rice wine is used and the centenarians in the Rugao area drink a yellow wine that is protein rich, full of enzymes, microelements and healthy bacterium.
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Tags: Chinese centenarians
