Baby Your Lungs with This Kind of Bean

Imagine slashing your risk of lung cancer -- no matter what your health history -- by 50 percent. And here's the bean that may help you do it: chickpeas.

Chickpeas are a great source of vitamin B6. And in a large study, people with the highest blood levels of this nutrient were half as likely to develop lung cancer compared with people who had the lowest B6 levels.

Vitamin B6 Benefits
Half a cup of chickpeas supplies about half a milligram of this cancer-fighting B vitamin, which doesn't sound like much. But you only need slightly north of 3.5 milligrams daily for optimal RealAge benefits. And in the recent study, people from many different walks of life seemed to benefit from ample B6 -- from smokers to nonsmokers, from people in their mid 30s to those pushing 80. People who had never smoked before and had the highest B6 levels enjoyed a 60 percent drop in lung cancer risk, while former smokers with high B6 fared well, too, cutting their risk of lung cancer in half. And even current smokers appeared to benefit from B6. (Ready to start your cig-free life? The RealAge Stop Smoking Center has all the tools you need to quit for good.)

Powerful Protection
Your body needs vitamin B6 to prevent DNA damage and guard against genetic mutations -- processes that up the risk of cancer. Not only do chickpeas supply ample B6, but they are also good sources of fiber and have just 140 calories per serving. Not a chickpea lover? Other good sources of vitamin B6 include bananas, potatoes with the skin, broccoli, tuna, chicken breast, and fortified cereals. (Related: Here's a creamy treat that may also help you sidestep lung cancer.)

Bottoms up! Drink this beverage for your lungs.