In some ways, anti-aging is a hopeless pursuit. We all inevitably age. Well, if we're lucky. We all eventually kick the bucket too, but that's just how life works. We can't be young and vibrant without the other reality keeping it all in balance. However that doesn't mean that we have to grow old in an unhealthy way. In fact the way we treat our bodies throughout our entire lives can greatly impact the aging process. Diet of course, plays a monumental role in that regard. But can eating anti-aging foods really help?
When it comes to anti-aging there is no question that there are habits that will drastically speed up the aging process. These include smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and eating foods that are high in sodium, sugar and trans fats. But eating foods that are high enough in phytonutrients like flavonoids and carotenoids (antioxidants found in a number of fruits and vegetables) can help with anti-aging and keep you feeling energetic and healthy.
Read more about phytonutrients in food
A good rule of thumb to remember is to make sure that you're getting plenty of fresh fruits and/or vegetables at every meal. The more you add these foods into your diet the less room you'll have for the stuff that's not so healthy.
So what makes these foods such anti-aging treats? Credit the high levels of antioxidants including anthocyanins, vitamins like A, C, E, and K, resveratrol, and healthy fats.
Fruits
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Apples
- Avocados
- Melons (including those yummy cucumbers!)
- Winter squash (it's technically a fruit!)
- Citrus fruits (healthier varieties contain seeds)
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Pomegranates
- Dark chocolate (It's technically the seed of a fruit and yes, it is good for you! Just make sure it's at least 70 percent cacao content and low in sugar. Better yet, try raw cacao beans or nibs)
- Red wine (This list just keeps getting better, right?)
Vegetables
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Kale
- Spinach
- Cabbage
- Lettuces
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli
- Beets
Miscellaneous
- Raw nuts (best when soaked in water for 6-8 hours)
- Beans (cooked from scratch, not the can)
- Green tea
- Coconut oil (works great on the skin, too!)
- Wheatgrass juice
- Whole grains
- Seeds (particularly flax, hemp and chia)
Read more about delicious foods that help block UV rays
Image via flossyflotsam
