The largest expected life expectancy gain would be made by eating more legumes—more beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils. Legumes are not only packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and antioxidants, but they may be one of the cheapest, nutrient-dense foods we can eat. Legume consumption is associated with a slimmer waist and improving the regulation of blood sugar and insulin levels. Beans are packed with fiber, folate, and potassium, and may help reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and colon cancer. Eating beans may play a role in the prevention of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. In Costa Rica, for example, researchers found that one daily serving of beans was associated with a 38 percent reduction in the risk of heart attack and an 8 percent lower all-cause mortality. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled, interventional trials has also found that eating legumes significantly reduces LDL ch...