Bolivian indigenous farmer Carmelo Flores made global headlines this week as “the oldest person to have ever lived.” Though that claim has yet to be verified, part of Mr. Flores’ story is that he attributes his longevity to a traditional Andean diet of quinoa, riverside mushrooms, and coca leaves. Not surprisingly, this has led to hyperbolic headlines, such as Australia’s Daily Telegraph‘s “Quinoa, Mushrooms, and Coca Kept Me Alive for 123 Years.”

This news story reminded me of previous instances where one particular indigenous diet was billed as holding the illusive key to longevity. Not surprisingly, every dietary “tribe” has its own example that it can point to as “evidence” that the eating patterns they espouse are, indeed, the best. The low-carb camp, for instance, often references the Inuit and their high-fat diet. Those who prefer a “Mediterrasian” diet point to the Okinawans; others consider the Maasai tribe as nutrition all-stars.

Usually, these groups health is attributed to one or two particular food items unique to their culture (i.e., whale blubber, seaweed, and goat’s blood, respectively).

The narrative goes like this: A group of people in the world (usually a small indigenous tribe, for maximum effect) eats “food X” on a regular basis and enjoy long, healthful lives, ergo, this one food will help you live until you’re 90, with fabulous skin to boot.

The problem with this framework is that a very important detail–perhaps the most important detail–often goes unspoken. While these healthful groups of people may appear to have widely different diets (some are high-fat and low-carbohydrate, others are high-carbohydrate and low-fat), there is one common thread: Their intake of processed foods, added sugars, trans fats, and artificial ingredients is minimal, if they eat them at all.

The notion that simply eating wild salmon, goji berries, or miso is the key to health is reductionist and silly if one’s diet is otherwise largely composed of highly processed and refined foods .

Rather than trying to pinpoint which “superfood” holds the key to longevity, we should aim to foster a more healthful food environment. If longevity and health is what we seek (rather than merely six-pack abs or a miniscule waist), we need to also look at socio-political factors like the food industry lobbying, Big Food predatory marketing, and misguided agricultural subsidies that affect our food system.

Additionally, let’s not let the romanticizing of the exotic allow us to forget the basic tenets of healthful eating:

1. Eat more whole fruits and vegetables. An obvious one, yes, but undoubtedly something everyone can benefit from. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber aside, each fruit and vegetable provides its own unique blend of health-promoting phytonutrients. Don’t forget about sea vegetables, which are criminally underrated and underrepresented in mainstream nutrition circles.