This Classic Breakfast Food Is A+ For Healthy Aging, Says A Longevity Expert

We've said it time and again: The best foods for longevity are simple whole plants. No need to comb through every aisle of the supermarket—just stick to the basics along the perimeter. Gil Blander, Ph.D., internationally recognized biologist, longevity expert, and founder of InsideTracker, agrees: His all-time favorite "superfood" for longevity is one you likely already have in your breakfast rotation. 

We know fiber is good for longevity and overall health (it keeps you fuller for longer, reducing blood sugar spikes, and helps manage cholesterol). And while most of the fiber-fueled hype seems to lean toward beans and dark, leafy greens, oatmeal certainly deserves some of the fanfare. In fact, if you start your day with 1 cup of oats, you've already consumed 8 grams1! Better yet, oats boast beta-glucan—a particularly healthy dietary fiber—which is not only great for heart health2 but has even been shown to help support immune health, too2. 

Aside from the fiber content, oats also contain significant amounts of vitamin E, phytic acid, phenolic compounds, and avenanthramides, which can help reduce inflammation3, according to one systematic review. Plus, oats (no matter whether they're rolled or steel-cut) are whole grains, which have been shown to support lower cholesterol levels. Blander and his team at Inside Tracker even published a paper on nutrition's effects on blood biomarkers4, noting, "There is a precedent in the literature for consumption of both oatmeal and green tea and reduction of LDL levels."