Jane Seymour, the timeless Bond Girl from 1973’s Live and Let Die’, has shared her approach to ageing with elegance. The actress, who recently celebrated her 74th birthday, explained that ‘dieting’ fads weren’t exactly her style.
Instead, she encourages individuals to find fresh, healthy foods they genuinely enjoy. This way, they can reap the benefits without ‘feeling shorted’. “I love the Mediterranean way of eating, it works so well and it tastes good, it includes a lot of delicious food like tomatoes, olives and fish,” she told MailOnline in a recent interview.
“…I love fish and vegetables, and grow many greens in my back yard which I love to use.” Jane’s endorsement of the Mediterranean lifestyle is also backed by research.
Last year, the Autonomous University of Barcelona singled out garlic, saffron, olives, rosemary, and grapes for their surprising heart health benefits. The results come amidst increasing concern for heart disease, with related conditions responsible for over 170,000 deaths per year in the UK.
Last year, the study’s authors wrote: “Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of global mortality, accounting for 32% of deaths in 2019. Plant-based extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, have significantly contributed to modern medicine, offering therapeutic potential for various diseases.
“However, their use is limited by possible side effects, drug interactions, and a lack of comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies. This review [aimed] to provide an overview of the mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, and adverse effects of key bioactive compounds derived from select Mediterranean plants, integral to the Mediterranean diet.”
Beyond this, Jane disclosed that she leans towards savoury snacks, favouring nuts like pistachios and fresh bites such as cucumber, celery, and hummus. She emphasised the importance of staying active too, engaging in various exercises including weight-lifting and Pilates sessions.
Although Pilates and yoga are often mistaken for one another, it should be noted that yoga tends to be slower with an emphasis on sustained poses, whereas Pilates focuses more heavily on core strength and muscle definition. Partaking in Pilates can be particularly advantageous for those aiming to lose weight or get toned, but it can also assist in the rehabilitation of certain health conditions.
Conditions such as back pain, scoliosis, and arthritis may benefit from Pilates-influenced workouts, and the NHS offers several example routines on its website. However, the authority advises that ‘more research is needed’ in this area, and recommends consulting a GP before taking any such classes in these specific cases.
Jane continued: “[Being over 50] is really a time to thrive because a lot of the hard stuff is behind you.”