Best Anti-Aging Foods

It seems as though everyone is trying to find the anti-aging secret to everlasting youth, and your diet is an important part of that! Some of the best anti-aging foods include berries, broccoli, ginger, grapefruit, onions, fish, beans, yogurt, dark chocolate and many more!
No matter how we try to stop it, the aging process inevitably marches on, and with every passing year, it seems like there are more and more “secrets” and “tips” to keep yourself looking and feeling young. However, the aging process is a part of life, and if you want to avoid aging prematurely, you must first understand some of the risk factors behind aging. Human beings age in many different ways, and at different rates.
As we get older, we can see noticeable changes in the health of our skin, our body shape, facial features, mobility, flexibility, hormone balance, vision, sexual stamina, susceptibility to chronic diseases, digestive efficiency, endurance, bone mineral density, and dozens of other effects. While any of those particular body changes deserves an article unto itself, when developing a broad anti-aging diet, as many aspects of aging as possible should be considered.

There are dozens of diets on the market promising that they will revitalize your body and mind, and make you look decades younger. The truth is, the best way to prevent premature aging is to adopt a healthy diet while you are still young and in good health. In other words, a preventative approach is better than a cure. While some signs of aging can be reversed or mediated by a proper anti-aging diet, it is best to adopt healthy eating habits early, and to ensure that your body regularly gets a diverse range of anti-aging nutrients. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at some of the best anti-aging foods.

1. Berries: One of the first things you should add to your diet if you’re concerned about keeping your body looking and feeling young is berries. While blueberries tend to get all the attention as a “superfood”, all berries possess a high concentration of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that can protect cell health and prevent the effects of free radicals. One of the main sources of “breakdown” in our body comes from free radicals, but the phytonutrients, tannins and other organic compounds in berries can keep your body free of these dangerous byproducts.

2. Onions: Onions are an excellent way to protect your gastrointestinal system and keep your stomach functioning normally. As you age, it is even more important that you get proper nutrient intake, and the stomach can’t do that if it is filled with bacteria, inflammation, ulcers. Onions have a number of active ingredients that can optimize digestive health and keep that aspect of your aging under control.

3. Fish: Heart health is one of the most critical factors as we age. It impacts our metabolism, energy levels, mobility, endurance, and many other aspects of daily life. Certain fish, like salmon and tuna, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and it is essential that your body maintain a healthy cholesterol balance to prevent premature aging. Healthy fats from fish can keep your heart and body lean and healthy well into your older years.

4. Beans: This may seem like a boring addition to your daily and weekly diet, but most beans are packed with fiber and minerals, both of which are crucial for overall health. Beans can improve nutrient intake, as well as prevent bloating, cramping, and constipation. Furthermore, the fiber can lower negative cholesterol levels, and the iron, potassium and vitamin B can improve metabolic efficiency, boost circulation, and lower blood pressure!

5. Dark Chocolate: It often seems like chocolate is a guilty pleasure that causes premature aging, but in fact, dark chocolate is “chock” full of flavonoids that protect the skin against various types of UV radiation. The exposure of our skin to sunlight speeds up the aging process, and since the skin is the most visible part of our body, keeping that looking young is key. The flavonoids found in dark chocolate can reduce the inflammation and cell damage caused by UV radiation if you spend a lot of time in the sun. However, remember…. everything in moderation, especially sugar-rich chocolate!

6. Yogurt: This rather common food is rich in calcium and probiotics, meaning that it protects against osteoporosis and bone mineral density loss, while also optimizing the health of the gut by eliminating harmful bacteria and ensuring a healthy bacterial balance for proper nutrient intake. When we talk about anti-aging foods, one of the most important factors is maximizing the healthy benefits of the food we do eat. Yogurt solves that problem perfectly!

7. Broccoli: Vegetables of all kinds have anti-aging properties, but broccoli and leafy green vegetables are particularly powerful. Broccoli is rich in antioxidants, as well as numerous vitamins and minerals, but is specifically praised for its cancer-fighting abilities. Cancer affects millions of people around the world each year, but broccoli has been directly linked to protecting against lung and stomach cancer, and also has anti-tumor properties that can help slow the spread of cancer if it does develop.

8. Ginger: This ancient food should be in everyone’s diet, because it has an impact on dozens of bodily systems, many of which are linked to advanced age. One of the biggest complaints as we age is soreness and stiffness in our joints, as well as pain after performing certain activities. Ginger has well known anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties that soothes aches and pains, and protects against chronic disease.

9. Garlic: Allicin is one of the most powerful organic compounds that we can get from our food, and it is the primary active ingredient in garlic. Whether you’re adding garlic powder to a recipe or soaking cloves in water overnight for an early-morning boost, allicin can boost the immune system, protect against chronic disease, reduce inflammation, prevent certain types of cancers, and even act as an antibacterial and antiviral substance. All in all, garlic is like the best food to add to your diet to slow down the aging process.

10. Nuts: Another simple addition to your diet to promote anti-aging is nuts. From pine nuts and walnuts to pistachios and cashews, the high concentration of healthy fats, potassium, calcium, vitamin E, and protein that is found in nuts can have a significant impact on your blood pressure, bone strength, inflammation, growth and repair of cells/tissues, and hormonal balance. A handful of nuts a day truly does keep the doctor away – and keeps you looking young!