No doubt, we all age. It’s part of life. It’s part of nature. But, we can stay (and be) vibrant, more vigorous, by eating healthy foods. While there is no such thing as staying forever young (and that’s a good thing, right?), we may need to work a little harder as we age to maintain our health and vitality. Here are some preventative foods we can enjoy which also, as an added bonus, slow down some negative effects of aging. And, because some fruits and vegetables contain high antioxidant properties, your skin may start glowing and firming. Not bad!
Kiwi
Kiwifruit, also known as Chinese gooseberry, is native to Chang Kiang Valley of China, with its cultivation dating back to the late 19th century. The strong antioxidant compounds in this little green fruit firm the skin and delay the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. This is mostly due to their high Vitamin C and E content which help reduce skin damage due to free radicals.
Pomegranate
We’ve known for a few years now that eating pomegranate seeds and drinking pomegranate juice was a healthy thing to do. Pomegranate is a rich source of riboflavin, phosphorus and other vitamins and minerals that will promote beautiful skin by increasing its collagen. Collagen is what gives the skin its firmness and elasticity. It’s high in the antioxidant Vitamin C and polyphenol compounds, catechins and anthocyanins. Those qualities alone make it a powerhouse fruit to include in your diet regularly to fight free radical damage to your DNA.
Papaya
Papaya is a gift from nature, and even though it is still an exotic fruit is some countries, it is becoming more and more accessible in fruit stores. Whether eaten or used topically, papaya can work wonders on your skin. It is a natural complexion toner and fights the formation of wrinkles while its Vitamins A, C and E will nourish the skin.
Avocado
These are filled with a healthy type of fat, monounsaturated fat, which helps your skin stay hydrated. That same healthy fat can also help you absorb some vitamins and nutrients that your skin needs. It also contains a compound called glutathione, which assists in the anti-aging process.
Bananas
Four to six bananas per week can help to maintain healthy digestion, curb appetite and may even help to lower blood pressure. Because they’re rich in potassium, bananas are good for bones. The potassium can neutralize sodium, which can cause calcium loss. Bananas also nourish healthy bacteria in the digestive system.
Broccoli
This vegetable sits at the top of the list of cancer-fighting foods that are also rich in nutrients. Broccoli contains two strong antioxidants, selenium and sulforaphane, and there is also evidence that these antioxidants may help fight various types of cancer.
Other recommendations include:
Salmon
Eating Salmon on a regular basis will increase your intake of the good omega-3 fatty acids that the researchers found reduced the risk of old-looking skin by 25 percent. Walnuts, canola oil, fish-oil capsules, and flaxseed are also great sources.
Have a cup of sugar-free cocoa.
In one study, antioxidants called epicatechin and catechin in cocoa protected skin from sun damage and boosted circulation to skin cells.
Cut back on white bread and sugar
Each 50-gram increase in your daily carbohydrate consumption (the amount in two eight-ounce soft drinks) increases your risk of wrinkles by 28 percent, according to the British study mentioned earlier. The link may be “advanced glycation end products,” molecules made from sugars and proteins that attack collagen as well as elastin, the stretchy protein that keeps skin looking firm.
