Let’s face it: no one wants to age. Unfortunately, it’s inevitable. But at what rate are you aging?
The way we live our lives determines whether or not we age with grace. Although there are anti-aging creams galore on the market, did you know that certain foods that can reduce the signs of aging as well?
Here are the best Anti-Aging Food:
Avocados
Whether you eat them in slices or mashed into guacamole, avocados are
a fruit that has long been hailed for its anti-aging properties.
Avocados are a great source of vitamin E and potassium, as well as
monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. The vitamins and minerals in
avocados have been shown to reduce cholesterol, improve skin health and
lower blood pressure.Avocados are also rich in folates (also called folic acid or vitamin B). Folates have been linked to heart attack prevention and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Avocados also contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that has been shown to lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol and protect against blood clots.
Garlic
Recent studies of the health benefits of garlic have pointed to
hydrogen sulfide as one source of garlic’s many health benefits.
Hydrogen sulfide is an antioxidant, it relaxes the arteries and promotes
blood flow, and studies have even linked it to cancer defense. The body
naturally produces hydrogen sulfide, but adding garlic to your diet
causes your cells to produce more of this beneficial compound
Whole Grain
It’s well known that eating whole grains is good for your digestive
system — all that fiber keeps you regular and helps rid the body of
unwanted substances, such as bad cholesterol and fats. Fiber also helps
control your appetite and keep blood sugar low [source: Beare]. But a
diet rich in whole grains, including oats, whole wheat and brown rice,
has other anti-aging benefits because they’re rich in vitamins and
minerals.Eating whole grains has also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
The key is to make sure the grains you’re eating aren’t refined, because it’s the refining process that strips away many of the essential vitamins and minerals that make the grains so good for you in the first place.
Red Wine
White wine doesn’t have as much resveratrol as red wine because
resveratrol is found primarily in the skins of the grapes. The red
coloring in red wine comes from the extra time the wine is in contact
with the grape skins, so red wine ends up having more resveratrol than
white wine. You can also get resveratrol by eating grapes and drinking
grape juice.
Nuts
Nuts are known for the protein they provide, but that’s not all these
small nutrient-rich foods can do for you. Nuts of all kinds are a good
source of unsaturated fats. Like coldwater fish, nuts contain omega-3
fatty acids, which are great for heart health. They’re also a good
source of vitamins and minerals, including potassium, which helps lower
blood pressure; vitamin E, which helps prevent cell damage; and calcium
to maintain strong bones.Another great benefit of eating nuts is that they can fill you up without packing on the pounds. That’s because up to 20 percent of the calories in nuts doesn’t get absorbed by the body, making them a great snack between meals
Vegetables
Like fruits, vegetables are one of the best sources of antioxidants
available and they can go a long way toward fighting free radicals and
slowing the effects of aging. The best vegetables for finding
antioxidants are green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Two
of the antioxidants found are lutin and zeaxanthin, which have also been
shown to protect against the negative effects of UV exposure
Fish
A popular dietary supplement in recent years has been fish oil, and there’s certainly good reason for that trend. Eating fish, or taking fish oil supplements, provides the body with omega-3 fatty acids that help protect against heart disease, reduce inflammation, decrease the risk of arrhythmia and lower blood pressure. Omega-3 fatty acids are found largely in coldwater fish, including salmon, herring, tuna and sardines.Studies have even shown that people who eat a lot of fish live longer. One study of middle-aged American men found that those who ate fish two to three times per week had a 40 percent lower mortality rate than those who did not. In men who had previously suffered a heart attack, eating fish twice a week actually lowered their mortality rates by 29 percent.
Fish is also a great source of protein and, unlike other meats, is low in saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends eating omega-3-rich fish at least two times per week
Beans
Because beans have so many health benefits, they’re sometimes called a
“super food” — an informal term for foods that benefit the body in many
different ways. Super foods help you meet several of your dietary needs
and are great sources of essential vitamins and minerals. Many also
help fight disease and sickness, making them powerful anti-aging tools.
Other super foods you might want to get your hands on include
blueberries, yogurt, eggs, nuts, broccoli and sweet potatoes.
Dark Chocolate
Some of the most visible signs of the aging process can be seen in
our skin. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation ages the skin more
quickly. But did you know that eating (or drinking) dark chocolate has
been shown to help protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV
exposure? Cocoa beans, from which chocolate is made, have a higher
antioxidant capacity than any other food, and the high concentration of
antioxidant flavanols in cocoa beans helps reduce inflammation of the
skin caused by exposure to UV light.Furthermore, eating dark chocolate can increase circulation in the skin and improve its ability to retain moisture, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help you look younger
Berries
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