It’s hard to believe I will be 75 years old in a few months, fortunately, due to good genes and healthy living I look younger My followers will know I always say, that what you eat matters. Changing your diet can lead to slowing down the aging process, yes there are anti-aging foods.
Are you seeking the fountain of youth? Look no further than changing your diet. Yes, the key to reversing and slowing the aging process is to eat specific anti-aging foods that rejuvenate your body inside and out. These foods are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help slow down and even reverse aging. To really fight aging you have to start with what you put inside your body. So, this week we will look at anti-aging foods that help you look younger, increase your health, and live longer.
Blueberries are really low in calories but loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, and have one of the highest levels of antioxidants per serving. The antioxidants found in blueberries battle free radicals that cause DNA damage, which is part of the aging process. Eat them as a snack or incorporate them in muffins, smoothies, or to top your oatmeal, or cereal.
I frequently use spinach in salads or as part of a green smoothie. Spinach is full of nutrients that are great for your skin, blood, digestion, and your eyes, and the vitamin C in spinach promotes beautiful healthy skin. Like blueberries, the antioxidants in spinach fight free radicals. Spinach is packed with folate and potassium that supports brain health. Folate reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and enhances your concentration. Other minerals found in spinach are important to strong healthy teeth, nails, and bones, and the anti-inflammatory compounds that spinach contain reduce arthritis, gout, and osteoporosis. Eaten raw or cooked is your choice.
Just as a car needs oil to run efficiently, so do our bodies. The key to anti-aging oil for our bodies is Omega-3, a type of fatty acid that we do not produce. Omega-3 has essential nutrients that help reduce triglycerides, lower blood pressure and stops plaque development in arteries. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in older adults. Omega-3 is found in fish like salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines, and tuna. It is also found in olive oil, which I use in cooking, cod liver oil, and linseed oil. Omega3 increases brain function, heart health, and keeps you thin. You should try to add fish to your diet at least three times a week.
An Asian spice, turmeric is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods you can find. This spice is very common in Indian dishes, but don’t be afraid to add it to stews, soups, and greens. Turmeric can relieve pain and keep your immune system strong. Curcumin is the component in turmeric that is responsible for its anti-aging benefits. Turmeric can help heal wounds, prevent blemishes, clear up scars, and prevent skin irritation. Try making a turmeric face mask using just a few ingredients.
Face mask recipe:
1 tsp. turmeric, 2 tablespoons flour, 3 tablespoons milk, and a few drops of honey. Mix the turmeric and flour, add the milk, the mixture will become like a paste. Add in a few drops of honey (which is soothing to skin and acne prevention), mix again to incorporate the honey. Rub a thin layer on your face; note your hands may stain a little but washing them promptly will remove it. Leave the mask on 20 minutes, allowing it to dry, then rinse it off. I do this in the shower to make it easier. Your skin will glow!
Avocados which I consume almost daily are a green fruit full of vitamin A, healthy fats, and antioxidants. The high amount of potassium found in avocados support healthy blood pressure levels even more than bananas. They also have healthy monosaturated fats (healthy fats), that are great for the heart and reduces inflammation in the body. The vitamin A in avocado helps your skin shed dead cells. The oils it contains are helpful for rehydration of the skin and scalp, in addition the antioxidants help fight free radicals believed to be the cause of aging skin. As my avocados ripen, I mash them with a little cayenne pepper, a squeeze of lemon, Himalayan salt and ground pepper. I spread the mash on toast, its yummy! Avocado is a super food, low in carbs, and free of sodium and cholesterol.
Green tea/ Matcha is all the rage at Starbucks and other coffee houses. The word matcha simply means powdered. This fine powdered green tea, made from grinding the leaves of green tea, has an earthy flavor and powerful benefits. Drinking matcha is a thousand times more powerful than green tea.
Matcha boots your energy without caffeine, improves cognitive function, and burns calories by stimulating your metabolism. The antioxidants in matcha regulate blood sugar and support your immune system by preventing cell damage and your risk of chronic diseases. Your body will be healthier, stronger, and have better overall function. As well you can use matcha in smoothies and other recipes.
Broccoli is another staple in my food arsenal, besides being low in calories and delicious, it is full of vitamins and minerals that revitalize your skin. Broccoli is a wonderful source of vitamin B1, B2, K, calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium, folate, and potassium. Vitamin K and potassium are important to keep your bones healthy. Fiber helps your digestive system that helps reduce cholesterol, and folate is essential for new cell production and maintenance. One serving of this superfood, (one cup), has as much vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is beneficial to your skin and builds collagen which helps your skins health and appearance. You can eat broccoli raw or cooked. I enjoy roasting it in the oven or using it in a stir fry.
Dark chocolate, I am speaking of the real chocolate with cacao, 70% or more, will not only satisfy your craving for chocolate, but is good for you and your skin. Cacao beans have the highest level of antioxidant flavanols than any other food. The flavanols found in cacao is particularly beneficial to your skin, the largest organ in our body, that shows the most visible sign of aging. Eating this chocolate protects your skin from the harmful effects of harmful UV light. Dark chocolate reduces wrinkles and helps your skin retain its moisture. I enjoy the dark chocolate bars found at Aldi, multiple varieties, I place them in my freezer and eat a section daily.
Pineapples are super sweet naturally and rich in the mineral manganese, which contains the enzyme prolidase. It produces the amino acid proline which helps form collagen in the skin. Aside from collagen production pineapples have plenty of antioxidants and vitamin C protecting your body from free radical damage and inflammation. Do your skin a favor and eat a cup of pineapple daily.
Forget about spending your money on lotions, serums, and potions, made from who knows what. Feed your body food that will prolong your life, keep your body healthy and your skin supple and glowing! Remember you are what you eat.
Until next time
Peace, Love, and Blessings💖
