This added benefit of a healthy diet might surprise you
You may know that a plant-based Mediterranean diet lowers your risk of major cardiovascular events by 30% compared the benefit of a low-fat diet. Its positive impact comes from eating plenty of extra-virgin olive oil and nuts, using animal protein as a side dish (no processed red meat, please) and not consuming highly processed foods.
And you've probably heard that the MIND diet helps protect cognitive resilience and reduces your risk of dementia. It combines a Mediterranean diet with the low-sodium, low-saturated-fat, no-added-sugar DASH diet and is loaded with brain-loving vitamin E, omega-3 fats and antioxidants-polyphenols.
But did you know that a healthy diet also promotes better breathing? A study in ERJ Open Research looked at the nutritional habits and lung function of more than 83,000 folks over a decade and found that eating a diet with red and processed meats, butter and hard margarine, and sugar-sweetened beverages lowers your lung capacity and the strength of your breathing -- and it's especially harmful for folks with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What this means for you: Whether you have a respiratory disease or not, healthy eating is essential to keep your lung function younger, your muscles strong and your mind clear. That will let you achieve a younger ActualAge (determine yours at 4YOUngevity.com) well into your 80s and beyond. (My ActualAge is 57 and I am 80).
I can help you achieve that if you sign up for info and support at 4youngevity.com/community and enjoy podcasts with guest speakers, news of the week and wellness articles.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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