Eat These Carbs to Live Longer

White bread may shave years off your life. But studies show that whole-wheat bread may be a life extender.

It's all thanks to the fiber. Fiber's long been known to boost both heart and bowel health. And now a new study reveals that fiber from whole grains may extend your life span.

Broad Bread Benefits
In a large study of middle-aged adults, those who consumed the most whole-grain fiber decreased their overall mortality rate by 22 percent! Not too shabby. The men in the study who achieved the life-extending benefit consumed at least 30 grams of fiber a day, while the longer-lived women got about 25 grams a day. And for reasons that aren't clear, fiber from whole grains had the best life-extending effect. (How long will you live? Find out why your photo albums may give you a clue.)

Fill Up on Fiber
What's so special about whole-grain fiber? It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help ward off death from things like cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, and infections, according to the study. Get your fill of fiber-rich whole grains by eating more whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and whole-grain cereals like oatmeal and shredded wheat. You'll get 2 grams of fiber in each slice of whole-wheat bread and in every half cup of brown rice. Check the labels on your cereals to make sure you're getting at least 2 grams of fiber per serving. (Here's how to make healthy choices when buying bread.)

Find out how you can boost your chances of a long and healthy life by goofing off today!

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Carbohydrates

Starches, sugars and fiber are the carbohydrates in food. Carbohydrates are a molecule that plants make during photosynthesis, combining carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are very important in your body's metabolism because they a...

re generally the part of food that is digested most quickly. Carbohydrates can give you quick energy, and cause a rise in blood sugar levels. Diabetics, in particular, need to pay attention to the carbohydrates they eat to help manage their blood sugar. Some carbohydrates, those found in whole grains and leafy vegetables, for example have a much slower impact on blood sugar than carbohydrates in fruits or candy. It's easy to consume a lot of carbohydrates, as foods like breads, pasta, cake, cookies and potatoes are loaded with them. Nutrition experts suggest that you should only get 45 to 65 percent of your daily nutrition from carbohydrates.

Learn more about Carbohydrates