Anti-Aging Foods

People are always on the lookout of a panacea that could help them retain the youthfulness in them. Practically, there is no panacea that could help them remain youthful. But, eating habits can really create a difference in the physical appearance, mental fitness and biological changes that happens within our body.

You are usually what you eat. When you eat healthy food, you can stay healthy for long. Your skin tends to retain the juvenility for long. Healthy food is the only step that can pave way to healthy physique. That can help you to confront the stress and pressure of your daily routine. Some of the more notable anti-aging foods are given below:

• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are a rich source of vitamin C, carotenoids and anti-cancer substances such a sulphoraphane and genistein. They contain a variety of carotenoid pigments, including lutein and zeaxanthin that help to prevent age related eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and anticancer agent that helps to prevent cell aging. Cooking tomatoes releases five times more lycopene than is available from raw tomatoes. A research suggests that, of the many types of carotenoids found in foods, lycopene is the most effective against coronary heart disease and cancer (especially cancer of the lung, stomach, mouth, colon, rectum and prostate gland). Lycopene is equally vital for the eye health.

• Soybeans: Soybeans contain isoflavones (weak, hormone like substances that help to prevent aging due to hormone imbalances). They are also believed to be helpful against hormone sensitive cancers such as those of the breast and prostate gland. Aim to eat a soya product at least twice a week.

• Garlic (lahsun): Garlic has antioxidant, antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties. While it is used to help treat intestinal, respiratory and skin infections, its utmost health service is to help maintain a healthy heart and circulation. Garlic can reduce high blood pressure, lower levels of harmful blood fats (LDL - cholesterol and triglycerides), reduce blood stickiness, dilate blood vessels and improve peripheral blood flow.

• Ginger (adrak): Ancient Chinese Medicine has long used ginger for its calming effects on the nervous system, and can also help improve digestion. Ginger extract is also full of antioxidants that can ward off cancer and prevent toxin buildup in the body and skin.

• Avocado (butterfruit): Avacado is a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat that may help to reduce level of a bad type of cholesterol (LDL) in body. Avocado is a good source of vitamin E and can help to maintain healthy skin and prevent skin aging. A 2005 study in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry reported that avocados contain enough lutein to stop cancer growth in a lab experiment. Lutein also contributes to eye health.

• Figs (anjeer): According to one report, a single serving of figs contains more polyphenols (recently linked to longevity) than tea or red wine. They're also loaded with iron, which helps stave off anemia and fatigue.

• Berries: All black and blue berries such as black berries, blue berries, black currants and black grapes contain phytochemicals known as flavonoids - powerful antioxidants that your body can use to make repairs and prevent some of the damage caused by aging. Be sure to eat your berries without any sauces or sugars. Just enjoy them plain for their goodness.

• Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are rich in vitamin E, selenium, zinc and essential fatty acids. Try to consume at least 30g daily e.g. sprinkled on salads, vegetables and cereals. Selenium is needed to produce antibodies for healthy skin and thyroid function as well as being vital for the action of many important antioxidant enzymes in the body. The richest dietary source of selenium is Brazil nuts. Walnuts (akhrote) are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce the cholesterol level.

• Carrots: 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 raw carrot, try adding it to your salads, it gives slightly sweet taste to a salad. Alternatively drink carrot juice once in a while.

• Dark Chocolate: The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

• Red Wine: Drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss. Any kind of alcoholic beverage seems to provide such benefits, but red wine has been the focus of much of the research. Red wine contains resveratrol, a compound that likely contributes to its benefits and, according to animal studies, may activate genes that slow cellular aging.

• Olive Oil: Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete. Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.

• Water: Water helps us to get rid of the toxins and unwanted waste materials from your body. Don't rely on thirst; this sensation diminishes with age. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day in order to remain healthy. Your goal should be to make water your primary drink. This way, you'll be drinking a no calorie, no chemical drink all day long instead of the many high-calorie, high chemical alternatives.

In order to remain healthy and young, you must include the above mentioned items in your diet. Apart from that, a little dose of exercise and yoga to your body will also keep you fit and away from anti-aging symptoms. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol as much as possible. Also, expose your body to moderate sunlight for some time to get natural Vitamin D. Feel good and feel energetic to remain young.