«The elixir of life has few ingredients. And everyone goes for the food . Our grandparents taught us to have a kingly breakfast, a princely lunch and a poor man's dinner. And this knowledge - which some classify as a "popular saying" - is actually the result of careful observations over thousands of years. And we have to start from here ».

Words and concepts of oncologist and nutritionist Debora Rasio, on the occasion of the event “ Food and health…Food is health? ”, organized today in Cagliari in the Giorgio Pisano hall , in Piazza L'Unione Sarda . With her a group of experts who have explored the issue of the delicate relationship between nutrition and healthy living . The meeting was organized by the Cagliari-born delegate of the Italian Academy of Cuisine , Roberto Pisano.

For the oncologist there are no doubts: «The best diet is the one that offers all the micronutrients we need. If we don't consume the right dose of vitamins and minerals, many cellular functions are lost, such as DNA repair, the formation of new nerve cells, the ability of the immune system to function". And, contrary to what one might "hope", there would be no miraculous food to blow out 100 candles.

But the synergy of several foods «can guarantee us good health. We must prefer a simple diet, free of refined products, which create oxidative stress and inflammation, the basis of all chronic diseases". Before eating meals, also keep an eye on the clock. Because "calorie intake, throughout the day, cannot be out of control: at night the body regenerates itself and, if it is busy transforming food into energy - it will not give us an optimal awakening", concludes the oncologist, which also warns against the excessive use of sugars.

«These should make us worry more than the consumption of wine, which today is under the crosshairs of those who point to it as an important risk factor for the development of various pathologies, including cancer», explains Pisano , also a doctor and sommelier. “Since the late 1980s, this food has been classified as a type 1 carcinogen . In this group there are also smoking and formaldehyde. The literature on wine is very varied, because it records negative effects but also many positive ones . With this meeting we want to understand whether or not there is an elixir of life. We're working on it. But surely sugary drinks and energy drinks are not included - in any case - in this formula», concludes Pisano.

But nutrition alone is not enough. Genetics and lifestyle also play an important role in the game for longevity . «Everything has changed from the life of our ancestors to ours, even if the number of centenarians holds up. This is because in Sardinia many still have their own garden and consume local products», affirms the cultural anthropologist Alessandra Guigoni, present at the conference. But an alarm bell goes off when it comes to the new generations , who are allegedly abandoning the Sardinian-Mediterranean diet . However, research shows that in the "Blue Zones", the geographical areas where life expectancy is high, not much has changed. «These are mainly small towns where the "good habits" are the same. And we must take them as a reference», concludes Guigoni.

Chef Luigi Pomata was also present at the conference, moderated by the director of unionesarda.it, Ivan Paone . In his talk “Eating healthily away from home is not so difficult” the message is clear: « you can eat balanced and delicious dishes even in a restaurant . You can't make a bundle of all the grass. If the recipe is based on quality, local ingredients, you can rest assured», explains the chef. But beware of bargain prices : «you pay for quality, just like in the supermarket and in the restaurant».

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