Apparently, my bisabuelitas are a true testament of the Latino paradox epidemiologists today are trying to decipher: Even with the lack of access to health care and higher poverty rates, Latinos have a longer life expectancy than our non-Latino counterparts.
I don't really know if I'll even be alive tomorrow, but I do know that I am blessed with the genes of women in my family that have lived to the ages of 102 and 112 years old! That's right–both my great-grandmothers surpassed the century old mark, got to see great, great, great-grandchildren and outlasted their respective husbands by a whole lifetime's worth.
Genes might have a lot do with this in some cases but what is contributing to the fact that Latinos as a group are beating the odds of life expectancy over Whites and Blacks?
Granted, Abuela Ampi's and Abuelita Maria's lifes were far from the rat race I face every day, free of many of the factors that threaten my health today, but still, to reach 112 years old?! That's gotta be a record! (Willard Scott? Guinness World Records? Anyone?)
Outside of the good genes that ran in their families, neither one of these Latinas smoked. They both walked a lot, had robust family support and their diets were rich with a variety of homegrown vegetables and fruits (rice and beans too were part of their daily diets). Bingo! Here another good reason to revisit grandma's recipes, as they may hold the secret to long life.
Latino power foods that you're already serving are something to celebrate–a happy dance from me to aguacate, cilantro and garlic! I love them! And then I think of the many other natural ingredients that deserve my attention (and yours) as well (hmmm… When's the last time I had chiles or garbanzo beans?).
I'm filled with hope as I look for ways to help Mr. and Mrs. Epedemiologists solve their puzzle, and thrilled to go back to the pages of mom's old family recipes to find more ways to bring power foods to my family's dinner table.
Do I want to live past 100 years old? I don't really know. But if I'm healthy and happy, with my children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild or two–yeah, I can see that!
Why do you think Latinos tend to live longer than average? Did anyone in your family live past 100?
Image via lagriso1/flickr
