To stay strong and keep diseases at bay, it’s important to have a healthy diet that provides all the right nutrients and defenses to the body. This becomes even more important as the years go by, as the body requirements change and its efficiency starts to falter. Nevertheless, you can fight back this decay by adapting your diet to include more foods that slow down the aging process.
These are regular but very nutritive foods that you probably already consume if you have a healthy diet.
Foods that slow down the aging process: flavors that rejuvenate
The human body is like a machine which, with time, starts to progressively requiring more maintenance. Just a little bit of oil in here, a lubricant in there, a couple of paint brushes to keep the good looks…
Start working on your body maintenance and keep on going strong with these foods that slow down the aging process.
Blueberries
These tiny fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber, nutrients essential for the overall body’s wellbeing and health. Where they hit the mark as one of the best foods that slow down the aging process, though, is with their antioxidants
These molecules prevent the oxidation of other compounds, helping to eliminate the free-radicals. Simply explained, these free radicals are incomplete molecules themselves that try to steal components of others, breaking and destroying healthy cells in the process.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate with at least 70% concentration of cocoa is infused with flavanols.
These compounds promote a better blood flow and help ensure healthy blood vessels. As a result, eating dark chocolate can help reduce the cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes as well as prevent other cardiovascular problems.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used in Ayurveda for centuries due to its health benefits. It is so valued in the Indian culture, that it’s commonly called “the holy powder”.
With more than 300 bioactive compounds, some of which with anti-inflammatory properties, it helps keeping chronic diseases away and promotes good health in general. A study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in 2009 supports this claim, proving that some of turmeric properties can be absorbed by cells thus making them stronger and more capable of fighting aging.
Green tea
Green tea is a great way to warm the body on cold days, but also to reinforce its defenses against diseases and aging. This drink is infused with antioxidants that help fighting free-radicals and their consequent damage to the cells.
Different studies published in 2006 and 2012 go even further in their claims, assuring that green tea can also prevent diseases by strengthening the immune system. In both studies, subjects drinking this tea every day revealed less bacterial and viral infections as well as a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Beans and Lentils
Beans and lentils are almost like superfoods infused with essential proteins and fiber, while being low on carbohydrates. They are also rich in amino acids and phytochemicals, compounds very important for preventing and fighting diseases. Moreover, beans and lentils also contain anti-inflammatory properties which are perfect for slowing down age.
Prefer pinto, black or red beans as they are the richest varieties in antioxidants.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta carotene – the famous antioxidant associated with the orange color- which plays a key role protecting the skin and eye-tissues.
These vegetables are also rich in vitamin A that helps restore the collagen levels in the organism. Collagen helps regenerate the cells and promotes the tissues’ flexibility, but its levels decrease with age.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin A, C, E and folic acid. Furthermore, it contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
This fruit has been shown to help relieve pain from arthritis, lower blood pressure, lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes and reduce cholesterol levels.
Nuts
Regardless of the type, all nuts are foods that slow down the aging process. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, unsaturated fats, antioxidants and phytosterols.
Nuts not only help fighting free-radicals, aging signs and promoting the general wellbeing of the organism, they can also prevent diseases by lowering the cholesterol levels and acting as an anti-inflammatory.
Oats
Oats are a great source of fiber, an essential nutrient to keep the digestive system working sharp. It promotes a better absorption of nutrients while also helping bulking the stool for an easier release.
Since it also helps fill one up, it’s common to find it in diet plans for weight loss. Therefore, it can also support keeping a healthy and balanced weight and prevent complications that could arise from obesity.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is packed with monounsaturated fatty acids, which the body cannot produce but needs. These acids help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood pressure and by preventing hardening of the arteries.
A study published in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology in 2017 also indicates that olive oil could potentially help preventing and fighting Alzheimer and other dementias.
Get healthy and strong!
Aging can be difficult and not only because of wrinkles. The body starts to falter, it becomes weaker, diseases make their entry and moving around becomes progressively difficult.
Instead of whining about old age, take your life back into your own hands and fight back decay. These foods that slow down the aging process are undoubtedly a good start, but don’t forget to also keep active both physically and mentally. Enroll in a language class, take up dancing lessons, go out with friends. Keep your mood high up, take care of yourself and just enjoy life.
If you’re wondering which kind of exercises you could be doing to help reverse aging and support the effect of your nutritive meals, here are a few examples by Miranda Esmonde-White
