Path to a longer, healthier life can start in the kitchen

People looking to improve their health often examine what and how much they eat. In China, this has resulted in the growth of restaurants offering salads and vegetarian fare.

At the same time, many people battle a time crunch as long commutes, longer workdays and family responsibilities chip away at time for self-care. That makes fast-food tempting, be it from an eatery, a stall or a cart - even when the food is high in calories, of dubious nutritional value or full of sugar, salt and fat.

While eating right and exercising cannot guarantee a longer life, recent scientific studies appear to support theories about how diet is linked to a better and healthier life.