By Tanya Turner
Anti-aging food has been a hot topic recently. Everybody knows
that you are supposed to eat more fruit and vegetables to protect
yourself from aging. But are all fruits and veggies equally good?
Find what specific foods are considered best when it comes to anti-aging
diet.
1. Avocado for younger looking skin
People who keep low fat diet usually avoid avocado because it
contains a lot of fat. But actually it is high in monounsaturated
fat which reduces cholesterol level in the body. Avocado is a very
good source of Vitamin E, which is essential for keeping your skin
smooth and young. Also avocado contains potassium which prevents
high blood pressure. Avocado is great to use in sandwiches instead
of butter spread.
2. Berries as anti-aging antioxidants
Most berries especially blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants
contain phytochemicals which are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants
help to protect your body against damage caused by free radicals
so they are very important for anti-aging nutrition. Red grape is
technically not a berry, but it has similar properties.
3. Fish for protein and Omega 3
fats
Your body needs quality proteins and some fat, and it is much
better to take fish as a source of these and not red meat. Fish
supplies us with Omega 3 fatty acids which stimulate the immune
system and lowers risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown
that people who eat a lot of fish have lower risk of colorectal,
esophageal and stomach cancers.
4. Carrots for cancer protection
Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene which is a powerful
antioxidant that fights aging and many diseases. Studies have shown
that people who eat one medium carrot a day significantly reduced
risk of lung cancer. Beta carotene also keeps your vision sharp
protecting your eyes from age related diseases. It is also important
for keeping your immune system strong.
Carrots give you most benefits if eaten uncooked. If you don't
feel like eating a row carrot, try adding it to your salads, it
gives slightly sweet taste to a salad. Alternatively drink carrot
juice once in a while - the juice is a concentrated source of beta
carotene.
5. Nuts to bust your immune system
Raw nuts are very high in fiber; they are also a good source
of vitamins and potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper and selenium.
They control cholesterol level and strengthen your immune system.
The only draw back of nuts is that they are high in fat, so a couple
table spoons a day is good but not more.
Only row nuts are good anti-aging food. Avoid salted and roasted
nuts, they do more damage to your health than bring benefits. A
good way to add nuts to your everyday diet is to sprinkle them over
a salad or to add them to cereals.
6. Whole meal pasta and brown rice
for energy
These contain complex carbohydrates, to insure that you feel
full of energy all day. Brown rice is high in fiber and B group
vitamins. Only don't make fried rice out of it - steamed brown
rice is the best choice. Whole meal pasta is high in fiber and iron.
7. Water to detoxify and keep smooth
skin
Water is absolutely essential for our health. You probably have
heard that you should drink 8 glasses of water every day, but do
you follow the advice? Water helps to get rid of toxins. Also adequate
intake of water insures that your skin looks young and healthy.
Moisturizing anti-aging creams and lotions are good, but if you
drink enough water your skin will be less dry without creams.
Pure bottled water is very good for you, but not exciting. So
you can replace it with other nutritious liquids - juices with no
added sugar, herbal teas or mineral water. Fresh fruits also are
good source of water, for example watermelon is basically 90% water.
8 glasses a day is a rule of thumb, but in hot or windy weather
you might need more.
Include these products in your diet on a regular basis and you
will see that soon you will feel and look younger than your physical
age.
Tanya Turner is a web publisher on a variety of topics. Her
latest publications are in the arias of healthand anti aging.