Modern day culture is obsessed with remaining youthful to the point where people are willing to spend extreme amounts of money to have operations that will make them appear younger. We are all going to get older. What you can control is how quickly you age. You are far from helpless. Granted, some people will go prematurely grey, while others will lose 80% of their hair by the time they reach their 40th birthday. This stuff is out of your control for the most part. What most people don’t seem to figure out is that looking young and healthy are the by-products of good health. There is no operation that I am currently aware of that will do a better of job this than taking good care of yourself.
One of the best ways to keep yourself looking youthful is to eat a diet rich in these anti-aging foods:
Blueberries – Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, which will remove all of those free radicals inside your body that do damage to your skin and generally make you age faster. Blueberries are also low on the glycemic index. So while they taste sweet, they won’t do the harm to your body that foods high in sugar will. Try eating strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and a lot of cherries too. You can mix them up in the blender or throw them on top of yogurt or cereal.
Avocados – They are full of monounsaturated fat. The good kind of fat. Avocados help reduce bad cholesterol, limit risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The fat in avocados will keep you fuller for longer making you less likely to overeat, keeping your waistline in check. You can cut them up into salads, spread them over bread or make guacamole with them. Try and eat half an avocado daily.
Walnuts – This is my nut of choice. They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain health. They help you think more clearly and ward off depression. They do a great job of maintaining the health of both your nervous and cardiovascular systems. Aim for 1/4 cup a day. You can eat them in salads or crush them up into cereals and smoothies.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – It is another phenomenal source of monounsaturated fat, which plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. I put it on everything. Salads, vegetables, marinades, etc. It is also loaded with antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals, keeping your hair, skin and nails looking healthy and shiny.
Chocolate – Yes, you read that right. However, I am not talking about the milk chocolate you buy at the convenience store. I am referring to dark chocolate. It is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers your risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia. Have a few squares of dark chocolate after dinner or mix a tablespoon of cocoa into a smoothie and you are good to go.
Red Wine – Study after study shows that drinking wine in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss. Red wine contains resveratrol, which is part of a group of compounds called polyphenols. They act like antioxidants, protecting the body against damage that can put you at higher risk for things like cancer and heart disease. Resveratrol comes from the skin of red grapes, so if alcohol doesn’t agree with you, eat a handful of red grapes a few times a week.
Fish oil or Cold Water Fish – Fish is an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids. If you can’t stand the taste of fish, opt for a high quality fish oil. I like Nordic Naturals. By taking 1 teaspoon a day you are lowering your blood pressure and protecting your heart. What is special about fish oil and cold water fish (e.g., salmon, herring or mackerel) is that they contain the ideal versions of omega-3, which is DHA. It’s very helpful for our brains and can prevent conditions such as dementia.