Christmas dinner, traditionally an occasion for over-indulgence, could not only improve your health, it could also help to extend your life.

Certain foods have the power to fight degenerative disease, to combat aging and to extend life expectancy according to reports from the CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition.

Imagine a Christmas dinner featuring ocean trout flavoured with lime and ginger and accompanied with a yoghurt dressing, Asian style noodles tossed with soybean tofu and topped with tempura vegetables, loin of lamb brushed with mint and served a garlic and rosemary jus, accompanied by rice and herbed vegetables. Or medallions of lean beef on a bed of capsicum coulis.

Sounds like gourmet fare? In reality all of these foods contain substances which can protect and lengthen your life.

Ocean trout for example contains n-3 fats which lower blood pressure, prevent clotting and protect the cardio-vascular system. The lime dressing has vitamin C and other antioxidants which combat cancer. The yoghurt is a source of probiotics which improve gut health as well as calcium to ward off osteoporosis.

The noodles and rice are low in fat and are a source of carbohydrate and fibre. Soybean tofu contains plant estrogens and novel antioxidants. The beef and the lamb are low in fat as well as being important sources of iron and zinc in the diet. Vegetables in all forms are highly protective against heart disease, cancer, and ageing, containing a wide range of protective substances such as antioxidants, carotenoids, folate and fibre.

Wash it down with a glass or two of red wine, followed with green or black tea which all contain polyphenols, which are novel antioxidents.

But if your tastes stray to more traditional fare you can still have the classical Christmas dinner and contribute to your health and longevity by following the Division's advice as outlined in the following fact sheet.

More information: Dr Ivor Dreosti (08) 8303 8930 or mobile 0418 847 009