15 superfoods

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“Eat healthfully” is more than a weight-loss tip. The right foods can help protect vital organs such as the eyes, lungs, heart and brain, and are especially important as we age.

To help people get the most bang for their dietary buck, AARP created a list of the top 15 superfoods for people older than 50. The list includes standard fare such as apples, which can help lower cholesterol and maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and oatmeal, which is low in fat and high in iron and other minerals. Other superfoods include asparagus, blueberries, broccoli, butternut squash, fava beans, Greek yogurt, kale, olive oil, pears, quinoa and salmon.

But that doesn’t mean men and women older than 50 who want to eat well are doomed to eat without any decadence. Dark chocolate – at least 70 percent cacao – is full of antioxidants, and coffee may offer protection against breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.