Ms. Meiling, born in Shanghai in 1897, lived an extraordinary life, passing away at the age of 106 in the United States in 2003. Her long life was not only a testament to modern and contemporary Chinese history but also to the power of healthy living. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40, Ms. Meiling defied the odds and lived to an impressive 106. She credited much of her longevity and health to her well-balanced diet and the scientific approach she took to caring for her body.
One of the key secrets Ms. Meiling shared about maintaining her health and beauty was the role of diet in preventing illness. She often said, “A person’s health and longevity are heavily influenced by their relationship with nature, and the state of our bodies is closely linked to whether we eat wisely.” For her, one particular vegetable stood out in helping her maintain good health, prevent disease, and keep her body strong: celery.
Celery: A Powerful Vegetable That Fights Cancer
Ms. Meiling believed celery was a miracle food due to its impressive cancer-fighting properties. Packed with flavonoids, celery has biological activity that helps combat free radicals and fight cancer cells. One of the compounds in celery, polyacetylenes, strengthens the immune system and prevents the mutation of cells that could lead to tumor formation. Scientific research has shown that celery can help the body fight against six of the most common types of cancer, including:
Breast cancer
Lung cancer
Colon cancer
Rectal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Leukemia
Beyond cancer prevention, celery offers other impressive health benefits. It helps nourish the blood, making it especially beneficial for women who may lose iron during menstruation. The high iron content in celery helps prevent pale skin, promotes hair health, and keeps your skin glowing.
Celery also has cooling and detoxifying effects, promoting liver health and flushing out toxins from the body. If you often experience mouth sores or shortness of breath, regular consumption of celery can help alleviate these symptoms. Additionally, celery is rich in fiber, which aids in digestion, supports the stomach, and helps excrete toxins through urine.
Three Key Waters for Health and Longevity
Ms. Meiling didn’t just rely on food alone—she also had a daily hydration routine to support her longevity. Here are the three types of water that played a crucial role in her health:
Filtered Water Upon waking up each morning, Ms. Meiling would drink a large glass of filtered water to cleanse her body of accumulated toxins. She believed this practice helped keep her skin radiant and her body detoxified. Drinking water before meals also aided her metabolism and helped her avoid excess fat accumulation.
Green Tea Green tea was another important part of her beauty and health regimen. Ms. Meiling valued green tea for its powerful antioxidants, which help prevent cancer, combat aging, and protect the skin from UV radiation. Green tea also supports cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of blood vessel blockages and rupture, ensuring that Ms. Meiling maintained her vitality for years.
Lemon Juice After her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 40, Ms. Meiling began incorporating lemon juice into her daily routine. She believed lemon juice was the perfect detoxifier, helping to cleanse the body and improve overall acidity. Lemon juice helped nourish her skin, soften blood vessels, and purify her digestive system. By regularly drinking lemon juice, Ms. Meiling maintained youthful, glowing skin into her later years, even at the age of 104.
The Result: A Long, Healthy Life
Thanks to her carefully chosen foods and drinking habits, Ms. Meiling’s health remained robust well into her senior years. She turned 104 with radiant, wrinkle-free skin and maintained a youthful appearance. American doctors who examined her were fascinated by her longevity and beauty, often asking for her secrets. She was quick to share that her daily consumption of lemon juice played a large role in preserving her youthful appearance.
Ms. Meiling lived a full, healthy life and passed away at the age of 106, not from cancer, but from natural causes. Her story serves as a reminder that a balanced diet, simple but powerful vegetables like celery, and a focus on hydration can have profound effects on health, longevity, and overall well-being.
So, if you’re looking for a simple but powerful way to boost your health and potentially ward off serious illnesses like cancer, consider adding more celery to your diet—it could be the key to living a long, healthy life just like Ms. Meiling!