Every person wants to stay healthy and young as long as possible. If we can take control of our health, then the aging of the body is inevitable. To slow down this process, we need to act systematically: exercise regularly, get enough sleep, deal with stress, and stick to a healthy diet. The latter is especially important, since some nutrients can slow down the aging of the body.
What foods are best to limit?
Sweet soda. If pure quality water can proudly bear the title of a product for longevity and youth, then added sugar, dyes, flavors and carbonation in no time turn a healthy liquid into a dangerous one: they make the waist less slender, worsen the condition of the skin, contribute to the formation of cellulite, provoke problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
Baked goods. Croissants and cakes will not cause any harm if they are on your table no more than once a month. However, if this source of fast carbohydrates is found in your diet much more often, then you can start sounding the alarm. Fans of products that contain premium wheat flour (and it is cleared of useful bran, fiber and mainly consists of gluten and starch) are quite likely to sooner or later acquire a diagnosis of “obesity” or “diabetes”. And with such problems, it is difficult to dream of prolonging youth.
Salt . It is dangerous when a person consumes too much of it. WHO recommends limiting one teaspoon of salt per day. But, as practice shows, most people exceed the norm by two or even three times. And they do it unconsciously – there is a lot of added salt in food products. Table salt affects the condition of the entire body, including disrupting the water balance, the maintenance of which is important for all cells of the body.
Alcoholic drinks. They also lead to dehydration, put a heavy load on all organ systems and accelerate the aging process of the body.
foods to Preserve Youth
First of all, it is necessary to list the active auxiliary substances:
- Anthocyanin and lycopene protect skin from sun damage.
- Vitamins A and B are key elements for healthy skin, nails and hair.
- Selenium is essential for the production of glutathione, a nutrient that helps repair damaged cells, and it also strengthens the immune system.
- Silicon increases the production of collagen, which makes the skin elastic and firm.
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant and a natural precursor to collagen in the skin.
- Vitamin E prevents wrinkles and restores skin from damage.
- Mono- and polyunsaturated fats fight inflammation and play a key role in skin hydration.
All these useful substances can be found in the food we are used to.
Please note the list of foods containing them:
1. Blueberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, anthocyanins and antioxidants.
2. Blood Orange – Contains more vitamin C and skin-healthy anthocyanins than other oranges.
3. Beetroot – rich in anthocyanins and contains a large number of micro- and macroelements, improves digestion.
4. Laminaria (brown seaweed) – contains iodine, dietary fiber, which prevents cell damage.
5. Watermelon – 90% water, so it maintains water balance well. In addition, it is rich in lycopene.
6. Avocado – rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E.
7. Lean meat – in addition to the widely known protein and iron, contains zinc and vitamin A (protects against premature aging, improves vision and skin condition), and vitamin B2 (is a reliable assistant in preventing the appearance of deep wrinkles).
8. “Wild” fish (cod, anchovies, sardines) – contains iodine, omega-3 PUFAs, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels, stabilize blood composition and normalize blood pressure.
9. Legumes are one of the main elements of the diet of long-livers. The peculiarity of legumes is that they are an excellent supplier of fiber, contain many vitamins and protein.
10. Whole grain bread – 100% whole grains in the product are the key to getting a wide range of nutrients and a solid amount of fiber.
11. Green and herbal teas . Green tea can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The same applies to some herbal drinks.
12. Cabbage – regardless of the variety, it contains many antioxidants, which are excellent at fighting the main enemies of youth and beauty – free radicals.
13. Cold-pressed olive oil is a source of monounsaturated fatty acids, helps combat lipid metabolism disorders. Don’t be afraid to include quality olive oil in your diet.
14. Tomatoes – contain lycopene, which prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases and cataracts. By the way, lycopene is not afraid of heat treatment, on the contrary – two minutes of stewing or boiling this vegetable will increase the amount of lycopene by a third.
15. Apples – rich in pectin, which helps remove free radicals from the body, reducing the risk of premature aging. They also maintain normal cholesterol levels in the blood.
16. Garlic – contains a substance with an antimicrobial effect (an allicide derivative). In addition to the antimicrobial effect, garlic can reduce blood clotting, support immunity, and participate in the neutralization of toxins by the liver. Regular consumption of garlic reduces the risk of esophageal, colon, and stomach cancer.