The Hunzas, with a total population of about 30,000 live on the northern most part of India, that is, the meeting point of the borders of India, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are residing in an almost inaccessible valley (3000m above sea level) and are more or less cut-off from the rest of the world. The health of the Hunzas is characterized by absence of many forms of illnesses, for example they have perfect vision, great heart conditions, no cancer, no blood pressure, no mental illness, no ulcers, and no degenerative diseases. Not only that, but they also have longevity.

What do they eat?

The Hunzas stick to a diet which is absolutely fresh and is free from fertilizers and chemicals of all kinds. They at most only dry fruits for preservation in the sun. They consume a variety of raw fruits and vegetables which are rich in minerals. They also eat protein-rich food items like yoghurt, beans, milk, nuts and some meat that is organically produced. The fats that they consume consist of ghee, almond oil and butter. The carbohydrates include whole grains that are organic and unrefined. They also use rock-salt in their food which consists of a large amount of minerals and nutrients.

The Hunzas make bread very different from the ordinary breads available in the markets. The grain is kept as it is for a long time and ground at the last moment. Then it is beaten into thin pan-cake like structures. After this, the dough is grilled so that it is warm enough and does not have the raw taste. Studies conducted suggest that this bread tastes excellent even without butter or jam. It forms a part of every meal that they consume.

Apricot is a favorite food item of the Hunzas. Apricot orchards are common in the Hunza valley. They eat fresh apricots. Fresh sweet apricots are extremely rejuvenating and energy producing.

What they don’t eat

The Hunzas conform to a diet which is rich in quality but minimum in quantity. They eat as per their appetite and energy requirements unlike the rest of the world, eating excess of what is required. There are a host of food components which the Hunzas avoid in their diet. These consist of margarine, white sugar, refined salt, margarine, white bread, refined cereals, cold drinks; sodas colored and flavored stuffs, tinned food, preservatives, red meat and non-organic eggs.

The water of the Hunza land

The water drank by the Hunzas is also responsible for their amazing heath conditions and life expectancy to a large extent. The water comes from melted glaciers. The glaciers grind the rocks into fine particles which float on the water and are referred to as glacial milk by the natives. This water has negative ions. It acts as antioxidants with the ability to fight free radicals. The minerals in the water also carry the negative charge that makes them absorbable quite easily. This mineral rich water is consumed by the Hunzas which gives them the excellent strength. The crops grown by them are also irrigated by the same water, which makes their body saturated with rich minerals.

The diet that we adhere to plays an essential role in keeping our body healthy. The Hunzas have been practicing a healthy diet for years which has resulted in their excellent health conditions, and we all can learn something from them.

Author Bio: Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about healthy-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out on Flickr.

Category: Education
Keywords: Health,Secrets,Hunzas,what they eat,excellent health,condition,india,china