Friday, September 13, 2013
Foods to keep you young
Stress, pollution, sun exposure and excessive alcohol consumption all play a part in speeding up the ageing process. Poor eating habits are also a major contributor. These foods will help protect you from age-related illnesses and degenerative diseases, and prevent wrinkles from appearing before their time.
Add these "age-defying foods" to your diet and start looking and feeling younger.
Avocado
Avocado should be one of your anti-ageing staples. Avocados are an excellent source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant and a free-radical scavenger that helps prevent damage to collagen. Their high levels of beneficial unsaturated fats and beta-carotene nourish skin and protect from the visible signs of ageing, as well as keeping your heart and eyesight healthy as you get older.
Brazil nuts
These are one of the best sources of the trace mineral selenium, which helps to improve skin elasticity. Selenium is also a potent antioxidant which helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer and prevents premature ageing.
Eat a few Brazil nuts each day, with your muesli or in a trail mix, to give you a good dose of this anti-ageing nutrient.
Chlorella
This nutritionally dense super algae has antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. It’s rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C and can enhance the health of your skin. It’s also a good source of chlorophyll and can assist with detoxification.
Add chlorella powder to a vegetable juice or water daily to help remove toxins from the body. This will benefit your skin and work wonders to prevent premature ageing.
Red grapes
These are rich in resveratrol, a super antioxidant with great health-promoting and anti-ageing properties. A study published in the journal Science revealed resveratrol directly activates a protein that promotes health and longevity.
Choose organic grapes as they typically have higher levels of resveratrol and don’t contain pesticide residue.
Kale
This is one of the best leafy greens to help combat ageing. It’s packed with antioxidants, and vitamin C, which protects against free radical damage. Its sulfur compounds assist in liver detoxification, while healthy omega-3 fats nourish the skin and help prevent dryness and wrinkles.
It’s abundant in vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health, and vitamin K and calcium, needed for strong bones and to prevent osteoporosis.
Maqui berry
These South American berries are one of the best antioxidant-rich foods. They have exceptionally high levels of anthocyanins, highly effective antioxidants with potent anti-ageing effects. They’re abundant in vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production to help give skin its tone, elasticity and a more youthful appearance.
Add a scoop of maqui berry powder to smoothies, fresh juices or stir it through yoghurt.
Salmon
Omega-3 essential fatty acids, found in high levels in salmon, nourish the skin and prevent dryness and premature ageing. A lack of these healthy fats in your diet will make you prone to dry skin and wrinkles.
Omega-3s help produce the skin’s natural moisture-retaining oil barrier and improve the skin’s flexibility and ability to repair. Wild salmon has the added benefit of containing astaxanthin, a super antioxidant that helps combat the signs of ageing, as well as protecting against cancer, and heart and neurodegenerative diseases.
Turmeric
The anti-ageing and health-promoting properties of this wonderful spice are due to the presence of a highly effective antioxidant called curcumin. Including more turmeric in your diet will help keep your brain young and healthy, as it works to preserve your memory and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Curcumin will also protect you from heart disease and cancer. Turmeric is the main ingredient in curry powder, so eating curries more often will help promote a healthier, younger you.
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