Imagine a place where degenerative illnesses like cancer, alzheimer's, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure do not exist. A place where the life expectancy is one hundred and twenty and men father children at ninety. The place is called Hunza (pronounced hoonza) and the people are called Hunzacuts. Hunza is situated at the extreme northern point of India, where the borders of Kashmir, China, India, and Afghanistan converge. It is an inaccesible valley about 9000 ft above sea level. Hunza is pretty much cut off from the outside world. Not only do these people live to be in their hundreds but they live to be that age in good mental and physical health.
Why is this sort of existence enjoyed in Hunza and not in the United States? What is the mystery behind this "utopian" country? Some say it's the pure mineral-laden glacial water the Hunzacuts drink. Others attribute it to their strong spirituality and belief in God. Mostly, it has been credited to one theory their diet. To begin with these people eat only fresh and natural foods. There are no supermarkets in Hunza which means no packaged foods therfore no chemical additives or perservatives. They eat their food in its original state. The most processing which is done to food would be in drying fresh fruit in the sun and making butter and cheese from goats milk. There are no chemicals or artifial fertilizers used in growing food. It is against the law in Hunza to spray pesticides in gardens, therefore their soil is rich in minerals.
O.k. but what is so great about the Hunza diet that it promotes longevity and excellent health? A large part of their diet consists of whole grains such as barley, millet, buckwheat, and wheat. These grains are unprocessed. Since these grains are not bleached they keep their germ and bran which are the most nourishing parts of the grain. When you buy white grains like flour and bread the wheat germ and fiber have been removed. Wheat germ supplies vitamin E and fiber is necessary for healthy digestion. The grains the Hunza's eat are rich in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, and other minerals. Vegetables are a big part of the Hunza diet and they eat them mostly raw. If they do cook them they are boiled and the water is drunk afterward.They grow spinach,lettuce,carrots,peas, turnips,squash,and various herbs. Salads are a relevant part of every meal. They are made with a grape vinegar and apricot oil dressing. The people of Hunza are not vegetarian but very little meat is eaten. Live stock is not abundant because food for cows, chickens, and goats is scarce. Also pasture land is limited. Meat is eaten twice a year for special occasions like weddings and holidays.
Fruits like apricots, mulberries, peaches, black and red cherries are grown in large quantities. Apricots are a strong staple in the Hunza diet. They are eaten raw in the summer and sun dried for the winter months. The stones of the apricots are cracked open and the kernals are also eaten. The oil from the apricots is used in cooking and also on the skin and hair. The women of Hunza are said to have amazing skin. The dietary factors about apricots is that they are an excellent source of vitamins A,C,E, and beta-carotene. Apricots are rich in minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and they're also rich with the powerful antioxidant Lycopene. Lycopene promotes wellness by strengthening the immune system and protecting the LDL cholesterol from oxidation which helps prevent heart disease. Apricots are great for digestive health because they're rich in fiber.
Though we live in the West the Hunza diet is not difficult to follow and learn from. When it comes to illness we need to think and take preventive actions. It is never too late to change your eating habits. If you got on a train and realized it was the wrong train would you stay on that train? No! You would get off and get on the right train. Jay Hoffman who wrote Hunza 15 secrets of the world's healthiest and oldest living people stated: "There are many people today who are on the wrong train so far as healthful living is concerned. They are travelling fast on the wrong train to sickness, disease, and eventually death, which wrongful living habits always bring. Should they continue? No. When people know better they should change their way of living." There is so much to be said about the Hunza lifestyle and diet. I could go on forever but this is only a blog. For anyone interested in learning more about these people I recommend Jay Milton Hoffman's book along with Hunza Health Secrets for Long Life and Happiness by Renee Taylor and 50 Secrets of the World's Longest Living People by Sally Beare.
