If there was a magic food that would stop the ageing process completely, would you eat it? Well, though they might not stop you biologically getting any older, some superfoods can certainly add years to your life.
Experts across the globe have debated about the best anti-ageing tricks for years. According to EatingWell.com the following are seven anti-ageing superfoods that you should include in your diet.
1. Olive Oil – the monounsaturated fats in olive oil have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. The popular cooking and dressing oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.
2. Yogurt – rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis, yogurt contains ‘good bacteria’ that help maintain gut health and reduce the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.
3. Fish – fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which help prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries and protect against abnormal heart rhythms.
4. Chocolate – the cocoa component of chocolate is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia. Just watch out for the fat and sugar that is also added to chocolate to make it taste so good! Raw dark chocolate is best, as it contains a higher percentage of cocoa.
5. Nuts – nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to those associated with olive oil. They’re also concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants.
6. Wine – drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss. Red wine is thought to be the best choice as it contains resveratrol, a compound that likely contributes to its benefits – and, according to animal studies, may activate genes that slow cellular ageing.
7. Blueberries – compounds in blueberries (and other berries) mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage, which are associated with age-related deficits in memory and motor function.
They say there are many variables involved in how long you live, but by following a healthy lifestyle, staying active and eating a nutrient packed diet, you can help slow the ageing process and perhaps even stave off age-related diseases, including osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease.