Foods that Fight Aging

             

  The principles of eating for longevity are useful at any age. Whether you are young or old, you can take preventative measures in order to safeguard your health for the future. The key is a healthy diet and lifestyle full of foods that promote your health rather than detract from it. Avoid foods heavy in saturated fat and trans fat. Eat foods with a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Here are some foods that will help you age gracefully.

·         Legumes – Chock full of complex carbohydrates and fiber, legumes help keep a stable blood insulin level. They have no cholesterol, and are packed with antioxidants and protein.

·         Watermelon – The antioxidants found in watermelon help repair the sun damage in skin cells.

·         Tomatoes – Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which can reduce the risk of some cancers, and keep the skin looking youthful.

·         Cucumber – The skin of a cucumber is made from silica, which helps to build collagen in the skin.

·         Olive Oil – Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats (good fats) which actually lower your LDL cholesterol. It is high in antioxidants, which improves skin’s elasticity.

·         Nuts and seeds – Nuts and seeds are full of vitamin E, which helps to moisturize the skin by protecting cells against free radical attacks.

·         Broccoli – There is a compound in broccoli called sulforaphane that increases the activity of protective enzymes in our cells.

·         Salmon – The omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon help to reduce hypertension, lower triglycerides, and decrease your risk of heart attack.

·         Whole grains – Whole grains help reduce the risk of diabetes because of they take longer to digest and do not cause spikes in blood sugar.

·         Berries – Dark berries such as blueberries and raspberries are rich an antioxidants called anthocyanins which have been shown to slow the growth of certain cancers and improve brain function.