The World's Oldest Group of Friends Ate This Food Every Day

 

 "Best Friends Forever," was truly a meaningful statement for Vera Turner and Dorothy Luxton, childhood friends with an unbreakable friendship of over 90 years. After marriage, kids, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, the two women remained inseparable. Through all the good times and heartaches, they were there for each other, granting them the title of "Britain's Oldest Friends."

Along with all the memories that came along with growing up together, there was one eating habit, in particular, that was a key component to a long-lasting lifestyle and friendship. According to Daily Mail, the one special food that the world's oldest group of friends ate was ice cream.

According to Turner's oldest son, Bob Turner, every Saturday in the summer the women would both walk from their homes to the seafront together, buy ice cream, and enjoy it while walking around town. 

This was a common tradition, going along with the women's love for taking walks together, maintaining an active lifestyle, and seeing each other every single day.

While it's known that walking is great for your health, it seems ice cream also has some benefits that could have you reaching for a serving on occasion.

According to the Baton Rouge Clinic, ice cream contains a few important nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A. Calcium is great for healthy bones and teeth, and it also is helpful for blood clotting, helping muscles to contract, and regulating normal heart rhythms and nerve functions. Vitamin D is also needed for building and maintaining healthy bones and also regulates many other cellular functions in your body. Vitamin A, on the other hand, is important for vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity.

It also contains antioxidant properties and, because of the milk, ice cream can also provide a small amount of protein, which is an essential macronutrient to eat to keep your muscles strong as you age.

The clinic also suggests that ice cream can temporarily boost your mood. The reason being is because your brain's pleasure/reward or "feel good" centers light up when a favorite food is eaten. Eating ice cream is also a beloved summer pastime that sparks feelings of nostalgia that can put a smile on your face.

With its mood-boosting capabilities, it's no wonder why Turner and Luxton enjoyed grabbing ice cream together. Walking, reminiscing over their life together, and enjoying every second of each other's company is something best friends strive to do together for as long as they can.

If you like the idea of treating yourself to ice cream but are still unsure of its nutritional value, there are ways to make the sweet treat healthier. The clinic recommends choosing nutrient-rich garnishes like fresh berries, chopped nuts, chia seeds, banana, pineapple, or crunchy whole-grain cereal. These ingredients will not just add flavor and texture, but they will also increase your consumption of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.