The 5 foods longevity expert Dr. Mark Hyman eats each day to stay biologically 20 years younger than his age (2024)

Doctor and longevity expert Dr. Mark Hyman swears by these five foods to age well, live longer, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

“I am on a pretty aggressive regimen,” he previously told Fortune.

The 63-year-old with over 315,000 TikTok followers says he is biologically 20 years younger, thanks to his daily routine and eating habits. His recent bestselling book Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life promotes the idea that people have some control over the rate at which they age and, therefore, the quality of their later years.

Exercise, nutrition, managing stress, and socialization are all associated with aging well and reducing the risk for chronic conditions that lead to early mortality—although genetics undoubtedly plays a role.

These are the five foods Hyman eats daily to “ensure my health and to make sure I live a long and healthy life,” he says in a TikTok.

In short, these foods “are medicine,” the anti-aging expert says.

@drmarkhyman

Do you eat any of these foods regularly? What’s something you want to incorporate into your diet more? If you want to learn about diet and longevity, check out my new book, Young Forever. It’s out now wherever books are sold. YoungForeverBook.com #diet #longevity #nutrition #markhyman #youngforever #booktok

♬ original sound – Mark Hyman, M.D.

Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage—are rich in phytonutrients crucial for reducing inflammation and the risk of cancer. They also contain magnesium, folate, and fiber to help with digestion.

“All that stuff contains compounds that activate the cellular detoxification pathways that optimize your mineral status,” Hyman says in the TikTok.

Hyman eats a cup or two of these vegetables each day.

Olive oil

The cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet is cooking with olive oil, and Hyman says he prioritizes extra-virgin olive oil each day. The healthy fat contains antioxidants touted for reducing the risk of chronic health conditions and heart disease.

Olive oil can also combat oxidative stress, which harms brain health and can trigger neurodegenerative diseases.

“Good fats are good for you,” Hyman says. “You need to make sure you get lots of good fats, and olive oil is a great way to do it.”

Nuts

Nuts, including cashews, almonds, and walnuts, have been associated with a reduced risk for diabetes, as well as improving health and life span, Hyman says. They are rich in fiber, making people feel fuller and stay energized for longer.

Dan Buettner, the founder of Blue Zones LLC, also found nuts to be a key to longevity in his research centered around the diets of those living the longest—and says to eat a daily handful.

Berries

Berries contain a large number of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which can “activate longevity pathways,” Hyman says. They can also keep the gut healthy, fight inflammation, and, therefore, reduce the risk for heart disease and other life-threatening chronic conditions.

Try a handful of blueberries or blackberries in a morning smoothie or as a pick-me-up snack.

Green tea

While tea isn’t technically a food, it is still a key part of Hyman’s day. Beyond the calming feeling of a warm cup of tea, the beverage can reduce oxidative stress.Green tea contains catechins, antioxidants that can protect the brain from disease and help people age well.

When Hyman was in Icaria, Greece, one of the globe’s Blue Zones—geographic areas with lower rates of chronic diseases and a longer life expectancy—he observed the community frequently indulging in wild sage tea, he adds.

Hyman also swears by his eight-ingredient “healthy aging shake.”

For more on how to live longer:

Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. Sign up today.

The 5 foods longevity expert Dr. Mark Hyman eats each day to stay biologically 20 years younger than his age (2024)

FAQs

The 5 foods longevity expert Dr. Mark Hyman eats each day to stay biologically 20 years younger than his age? ›

Longevity expert Dr. Mark Hyman eats five particular foods every day. According to the 63-year-old doctor with over a quarter million TikTok followers, cruciferous vegetables, olive oil, nuts, berries and green tea are the secret to aging well, living longer and reducing the risk of chronic disease.

What 5 foods a longevity expert eats each day to stay biologically 20 years younger than his age? ›

The 5 foods longevity expert Dr. Mark Hyman eats each day to stay biologically 20 years younger than his age
  • Cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage—are rich in phytonutrients crucial for reducing inflammation and the risk of cancer. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Green tea.
Feb 13, 2024

What is the number one food for longevity? ›

Whether it's soybeans in Okinawa or chickpeas in Sardinia, the healthiest people on the planet consume at least a ½ cup of legumes every day. We've seen that eating a cup per day of beans probably is adding four years to their lives," Buettner previously told EatingWell.

Do bananas increase longevity? ›

In turn, higher intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies can effectively promote your healthspan (aka a longer and healthier life). “Bananas are packed with flavonoids, a specific type of antioxidant, that offers anti-inflammatory benefits to promote healthy aging,” Tamburello explains.

What are the 5 foods to avoid for a long life? ›

Here are eight foods that you should cut down on (or avoid eating altogether) as you get older, and why:
  • Raw or undercooked eggs, meat and poultry. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • High-sodium foods. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Sodas and sugary drinks. ...
  • “Sugar-free” drinks. ...
  • Alcoholic beverages. ...
  • Foods with empty calories.
Jul 24, 2022

What does Mark Hyman eat daily? ›

Basically. I follow a Pegan diet, which is a plant-rich diet—not “plant-based”; it's a lot of colorful, phytochemically rich vegetables; nuts and seeds; and protein. A lunch, for example, could be a big salad with avocado, arugula. I put in toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts.

What is the #1 healthiest food? ›

Top 10 Foods for Health
  1. Water. Drink 8 to 12 cups of water daily.
  2. Dark green vegetables. Eat dark green vegetables at least three to four times a week. ...
  3. Whole grains. Eat whole grains sat least two or three times daily. ...
  4. Beans and lentils. Try to eat a bean-based meal at least once a week. ...
  5. Fish. ...
  6. Berries. ...
  7. Winter squash. ...
  8. Soy.

What are the daily 5 foods? ›

The 5 healthy food groups are vegetables and legumes, fruit, cereals and grain foods, dairy and dairy alternatives, and meat and meat alternatives.

Is oatmeal a longevity food? ›

May help you live longer:

This is evidenced by oats' ability to lower the risk of autoimmune disease, heart disease, and weight gain.

Can you eat eggs on the longevity diet? ›

Consume both vegetable-based proteins from legumes and nuts, and animal protein from fish (2-3 times a week, yet avoiding fish high in mercury), while eating less frequently red meat, white meat and eggs (1 serving a week for each of these foods, and ideally organic).

What single food can you survive on the longest? ›

It is argued that the single, most complete food a human needs to survive is human breast milk. Other foods may be nutritious but inevitably lack certain vitamins, minerals, etc.

What are the 5 foods you can live on? ›

7 Perfect Survival Foods
  • Perfect Foods. (Image credit: XuRa | shutterstock) ...
  • Beans. (Image credit: USDA) ...
  • Kale. (Image credit: Justin Jernigan) ...
  • Cantaloupe. (Image credit: stock.xchng) ...
  • Berries. (Image credit: Ohio State University.) ...
  • Barley. (Image credit: USDA) ...
  • Seaweed. (Image credit: NOAA) ...
  • Fish. (Image credit: stock.xchng)
Jun 10, 2008

What six foods may help you live longer? ›

In addition to fruits, veggies, nuts, and legumes — moderate amounts of fish, unprocessed meats, whole grains and whole fat dairy constitute foods associated with better health outcomes. While dieticians may advise eating a broad spectrum of fruits, veggies, nuts and legumes, some are certainly healthier than others.

What are the top 5 things for longevity? ›

The bottom line

Longevity may seem beyond your control, but many healthy habits may lead you to a ripe, old age. These include eating a plant based diet, quitting smoking, reducing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

What are the five pillars of a longevity diet? ›

The five pillars of the longevity diet—whole grains, seasonal vegetables, tubers, nuts, and beans—are more than just food groups. They're nature's way of promoting a long, healthy life.

What food makes you live forever? ›

The Best Foods for Longevity & How to Eat Them
  • Nuts. Nuts offer healthy unsaturated fats, fiber, micronutrients, and antioxidants—and walnuts, specifically, provide the highest levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fats and antioxidants. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Green Tea. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Fatty Fish. ...
  • Dark Leafy Greens. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

What diet has the longest life expectancy? ›

“When you look at the longest-lived of people in the world, whether you're in Asia, Europe, Latin America, United States, they're eating 90% -100% whole food plant-based,” says Dan Buettner. “The five pillars of every longevity diet in the world are wholegrains, greens, tubers like sweet potatoes, nuts, and beans.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Reed Wilderman

Last Updated:

Views: 5948

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Reed Wilderman

Birthday: 1992-06-14

Address: 998 Estell Village, Lake Oscarberg, SD 48713-6877

Phone: +21813267449721

Job: Technology Engineer

Hobby: Swimming, Do it yourself, Beekeeping, Lapidary, Cosplaying, Hiking, Graffiti

Introduction: My name is Reed Wilderman, I am a faithful, bright, lucky, adventurous, lively, rich, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.