Foods That Add Years to Your Life

The quick scan: Tuesday served up a reality sandwich that nobody ordered, with markets sliding faster than a penguin on ice. Geopolitical tensions and weak retail sales combined to create the kind of day that makes investors reach for comfort food.

• S&P 500: Dropped 0.84% to close at 5,982.72, nearly erasing the week's gains in one fell swoop
• Dow Jones: Fell 299 points (0.70%) to 42,215.80, proving that even blue chips aren't immune to global jitters
• NASDAQ: Slumped 0.91% to 19,521.09, tech stocks joining the pessimism party with their usual enthusiasm

What's driving it: A toxic cocktail of escalating Israel-Iran tensions sending oil prices soaring 4%, plus disappointing U.S. retail sales data suggesting consumers are tightening their belts. When oil spikes and shopping drops, markets get nervous.

Bottom line: Tuesday's selloff was like getting caught in a sudden downpour—unpleasant but not necessarily the start of a hurricane. The combination of geopolitical stress and economic concerns created a perfect storm for selling, but one day doesn't make a trend.

The Longevity Menu: How Apples, Tea, and Chocolate Can Add Years to Your Life

The scoop: Finally, some health news that doesn't involve giving up everything delicious! A massive 10-year study tracking 120,000 people found that eating flavonoid-rich foods like apples, tea, berries, and even dark chocolate can significantly boost your longevity. We're talking about a 16% lower risk of death from all causes—basically, your afternoon tea and apple snack might be the closest thing to a fountain of youth.

The magic number? About 500mg of flavonoids daily, which is roughly what you'd get from two cups of tea. But here's the kicker—variety matters more than quantity. Instead of chugging gallons of green tea, researchers found that mixing different flavonoid sources (think berries with your morning tea, dark chocolate after dinner) provides better protection against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues.

The study's lead author put it perfectly: different flavonoids from different foods serve different purposes, like having a diverse investment portfolio but for your health. Who knew that "eat the rainbow" could literally help you live longer?

Actionable takeaways:

• Start your day with tea: Two cups provide your baseline 500mg of flavonoids—green, black, or white tea all count, so pick what you actually enjoy drinking.

• Snack smarter with berries: Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are flavonoid powerhouses that satisfy sweet cravings while boosting longevity.

• Choose dark chocolate over milk: When you need a chocolate fix, go for dark varieties (70% cacao or higher) to get flavonoids along with your indulgence.

• Make apples your go-to fruit: Easy to pack, store well, and pair perfectly with that afternoon tea for a double flavonoid hit.

• Think variety, not volume: Mix different flavonoid sources throughout the day rather than loading up on just one—your body benefits more from diversity than mega-doses.