Anti-aging: 10 Foods to Fight Aging
We’ve all been there: That moment when you catch yourself shamelessly staring at your friend, coworker or family member and thinking … How the heck does she pull it off? What’s the secret to her great hair, pore-free complexion, or flawless teeth? The secret to aging well is eating well!
In the quest for longevity, there are no miracle cures. But what’s on your plate matters more than you think. Here are 10 foods to put in your pantry. They contain folate, calcium, and other nutrients that support bone health, protect against cognitive decline, and help prevent age-related eye problems.
1. Healthy Greens: Diets high in cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli and cabbage, help reduce risk of memory loss and cancer.
2. Whole Grains: Rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, whole grains can lower the risk of age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Because they’re digested more slowly than processed grains, they also help prevent high blood sugar and diabetes.
3. Berries: Blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins, which have been shown to slow the growth of certain cancers as well as improve brain function, muscle tone, and balance.
4. Olive Oil: Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, olive oil figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. It may explain the lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline in people who follow this way of eating.
5. Tomatoes: This red fruit contain lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps maintain youthful skin texture and may reduce the risk of some types of cancer (especially prostate, lung, and stomach cancers) and heart disease.
6. Nuts: Varieties such as almonds and walnuts contain a generous helping of healthy fats, vitamins, and protein that benefit cardiovascular and brain health. Nuts are also high in compounds that ease inflammation.
7. Red Grapes: Grapes contain an antioxidant called resveratrol, which has anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, which may explain why red wine and purple grape juice also help promote heart health.
8. Fish: Oily fish provide omega-3 fatty acids that help combat inflammation in the body. People who eat several weekly servings of such fish have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.
9. Unsweetened Teas: White and green tea contain the most EGCG, one of the most powerful antioxidants. Numerous studies have linked tea consumption to lower rates of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Fresh Herbs and Spices: Spices such as turmeric and ginger contain anti-inflammatory compounds that might reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The antioxidant substances in garlic and onions can protect against heart disease and cancer; cinnamon may help lower blood sugar.
You don’t have to just eat certain foods to stay youthful. You can also apply foods to your body. Here are some bonus tips and tricks to anti-aging.
- Massage organic sesame oil from the health-food store all over your body. Working it in will wake you up and really get your blood circulating. Plus, the oil hydrates the skin, giving it a healthy glow. Then, jump in the shower-the oil naturally cleans away dead skin cells.
- You’ve been told a thousand times to avoid white sugar. Scrub with it instead. In the shower, lather your hands with a mild cleanser, add a handful of white sugar, and slather it all over your face and body. It makes your skin so smooth and creates a great canvas for makeup.
- Apply an over-the-counter topical vitamin C cream that has a 30% concentration to your face. It’s a wonderful antioxidant that helps skin repair itself from sun damage. Plus, it has natural sunscreen properties in it!
