Published November 16, 2011
People have always been searching for ways to maintain their youth, and until a real fountain of youth is discovered, they'll have to resort to more practical methods. Fortunately, there are healthy and simple ways to slow down Father Time. The first place to start is in your daily diet. Here are 10 of the best anti-aging foods that you should add to your diet today:
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is a rich, decadent treat that has been cherished for ages. Want to know a little secret about this sinfully delicious food? It is actually beneficial to your health and can be used to maintain your youth. But wait, there is a catch. You need to eat dark chocolate to obtain all these great health benefits.Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that can help keep your skin soft, and it helps protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. The skin protecting properties of dark chocolate makes it a great anti-aging food. Oh, and the fact that it can help reduce high blood pressure and "bad" cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, are nice characteristics of dark chocolate as well.
Don't forget to eat dark chocolate in moderation. Eating like a child and stuffing yourself with sweets may make you feel young, but it won't help your body do the same.
2. Fish
Omega 3 rich fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel are excellent for helping you feel young and vigorous by helping you maintain a healthy body. An improved immune system, lower risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels are health benefits to help your body feel and stay young. Fish is also beneficial to your brain and cognitive functions that can deteriorate with age. If you feel yourself starting to forget things, try increasing your Omega 3 intake with more fish. You'll have a sharp mind and memory for years to come.3. Berries
Berries have always been known for their antioxidants and vitamins that can help your body stay young and healthy. Certain berries, like bilberries and blueberries, have been known to have other anti-aging properties as well.It's common for a person's eyes to deteriorate with age. Severe cases of eye deterioration due to aging have been labeled as macular degeneration. Bilberries have been shown to reverse such disorders, and can help improve any loss in visibility due to aging.
Blueberries have been found to enhance and enrich a person's skin. As you age, the risk of skin damage due to free radicals increases. The antioxidants found in blueberries can help prevent these free radicals from damaging skin cells, preventing premature aging.
4. Protein
A sufficient amount of protein in your diet becomes more and more important as you age. A middle-aged person will begin to lose muscle mass by up to one percent per year, and at a certain point in their old age, they will feel very weak and brittle. Why not prevent that from happening by increasing your intake of protein gradually as you age.Healthy sources of protein from lean meats and soy will help you maintain your muscle mass. A good thing about these healthy sources of protein is the fact that they are filled with other nutrients that are important for your body as you age like calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Don't let the clock work against you by being protein deficient. Up your protein intake and keep your body feeling young and strong for years to come.
5. Whole Grains
Brown rice, oats, whole wheat bread, cereals and other foods made from whole grains are important for helping you maintain the vitamins and nutrients that become more and more important as you age. As you age, you become more at risk to health problems like diabetes, colon cancer and obesity. Lower these risks and maintain your youthful health by adding more whole grains to your diet.6. Red Wine
Just because you are trying to maintain your youth, doesn't mean you have to maintain a childlike diet. Red wine is a grown-up drink you can indulge in to help you shave off a few years from both your skin and body. Similar to bilberries, red wine has been linked to a decreased risk in macular degeneration. Some studies have also shown that a regular and healthy intake of red wine has decreased the risk of osteoporosis, an age related ailment of the bones.7. Green Vegetables
There is nothing like a bowl of spinach or a plate of broccoli to help feed your body vital nutrients and flush out the system at the same time. An abundance of antioxidants and flavonoids make these vegetables extremely beneficial to an anti-aging diet. As your body ages, you become more exposed to damage from free radicals. An example of a free radical would be sunburn caused by exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays.8. Water
It may not be a food, but this anti-aging food list would not be complete without the inclusion of water. The health benefits of water are simply amazing, and its anti-aging properties are nothing to be scoffed at either. A healthy intake of water will allow your skin to be properly hydrated, making it look and feel younger. The skin is the body's biggest organ, which many people tend to overlook, and like the rest of the body, it needs water. By the way, the water in sodas and sugary drinks doesn't count!http://www.symptomfind.com/nutrition-supplements/anti-aging-foods/
