Top 10 Anti-Aging Superfoods
Many people wish if they could stop the process of aging and live younger for whole life but still we haven’t found any method or medicine which could stop the process of aging. As we get older, the body’s machinery begins to function a little less smoothly and we become susceptible to age-related problems. But there are certain foods that can help counteract the negative effects aging has on the body. They won’t make you younger or stop you from getting older, but they can improve your overall health and vitality, and protect you against disease and illness, which could prolong your life and make the years you do have more healthful.
Here is the list of top 10 anti-aging foods that will slow the process of aging and help you to look younger for longer period of time.
1. Blueberries
Blueberries contain large amounts of antioxidants such as flavonols, anthocyanins and vitamin C, which promote cell health and can protect against disease. The darker black and blue colored berries provide the best anti-aging benefits because they have the highest concentration of antioxidants. Blueberries have also shown excellent promise for boosting memory in aging patients.
2. Avocados
Avocados are full of anti-aging components. They contain high levels of Vitamin E, vitamin B and potassium, which are all vital if you want healthy, hydrated skin. It also contains monounsaturated fats which lower blood pressure, increase blood flow and prevent insulin resistance.
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which protects your skin from damage caused by free radicals. Lycopene also keeps your skin firm, as it reduces the activity of the enzymes that break down collagen.They also contain vitamin C for collagen strength and potassium which regulates the water and nutrient content of the cells in the skin.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and A. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, thus keeping your skin healthy whereas vitamin A protects your skin cell membranes and prevents ultraviolet radiation damage.
Broccoli also contains lignans, which help prevent free radical formation and oxidative stress leading to cell damage. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, niacin and selenium.
5. Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that supplies a significant source of antioxidants to the body. It has added antioxidant ability because of the lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidant carotenoids that protect the eyes from damage, and may reduce the risks of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
6. Pomegranate
Pomegranate contain powerful medicinal as well as anti-aging properties. It helps in making your skin healthy by boosting your collagen production, keeping your skin firm and wrinkle-free. It also contains vitamins and minerals that improve your cellular health. Their amazing seeds contain ellagic acid and punicalagin that support anti-aging by inhibiting free radical damage. The natural phytoestrogens and punicid acid in pomegranates help men with prostate cancer by helping prevent its spread. Pomegranates also contain good amounts of Vitamin K, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and manganese that help stimulate the production of new bone cells and maintain bone density and strength, a significant concern of growing older.
7. Watermelon
Watermelon’s anti-aging secret is lycopene, which may help to eliminate free radicals from the body. Free radicals are thought to exaggerate many of the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and lines on the skin. Lycopene may also help to guard against conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. One more particular antioxidant contained in watermelon is citrulline, which helps to rid the body from dangerous toxins, boost metabolism, and keep your immune system healthy.
8. Garlic
Garlic is one of the most healthful and flavorful food that slows aging process in many ways. Its anti-aging benefits include lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and protecting and maintaining cell health. Eating a clove of garlic a day helps to protect the body against cancer and heart disease.
9. Grapes
Grapes are rich in polyphenolic phytochemical compound resveratrol. Resveratrol is one of the powerful anti-oxidant which has been found to play a protective role against cancers of colon and prostate, coronary heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer’s disease and viral or fungal infections. Anthocyanins are another class of polyphenolic anti-oxidants present abundantly in the red grapes. These phyto-chemicals have been found to have an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, as well as anti-cancer activity. Catechins, a type of flavonoid tannin group of anti-oxidants, found in the white or green varieties have also shown to possess these health-protective functions.
10. Dates
Dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well-being. They contain health benefiting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to possess anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hemorrhagic properties. They compose antioxidant flavonoids such as ß-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin. These antioxidants found to have the ability to protect cells and other structures in the body from harmful effects of oxygen-free radicals. Thus, eating dates found to offer some protection from colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers.