Last updated on September 4th, 2018 at 09:35 am
With time the human body undergoes some major changes that cause aging. Ageing is a natural process and there’s no way you can avoid it. Over oxidation of body cells, excessive intake of sugar, stress, anxiety and unhealthy living practices can accelerate the process of aging. But the best thing about aging is that it can be slowed down. You can slow down aging process, by eating rightly balanced anti ageing foods and giving up unhealthy living and eating practices.
In the year 1934, it was discovered by the researchers that the lifespan of humans can be expanded by 50% with certain calorie restrictions. Restriction of calorie intake through your daily diet can help you live healthy and longer. As you already know, you need calories and foods containing calories are not at all bad for you. Calories are essential for your body and it is one of the basic sources of energy. But it has to be balanced and measured. You can have a balanced diet on a daily basis and hope to enjoy long life span, just like Jeanne Calment who survived for 122 years and holds a world record. And the secret to her longevity was properly balanced, anti ageing diets and an active lifestyle.
Best anti aging foods to slow down aging
Foods like nuts, fresh fruits, unprocessed oils like olive oil, fishes and meat can seriously help you slow down aging. Nowadays the market is brimming with readymade foods and packaged stuff so that you do not have to cook at home. These foods have adverse effects on your health as they contain preservatives and additives. You must go for the natural and organic food resources.
There is a saying – what you eat is what you become. And if you want to look younger, live longer and slow down aging, then you gotta eat right. Here’s the list of best anti aging foods that helps you to look younger, live healthy and slow down aging.
Olive oil
The olive oil is rich in powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, it reduces the chances of many age related diseases like amnesia, Alzheimer’s, wrinkles on skin, high blood pressure etc. The olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that help in preventing the various coronary and heart diseases. And Due to the antioxidant properties of olive oils, you can even apply it on your skin or consume it with food.
Yoghurt
In the decade of 1970s, it was known that Soviet Georgia had more centenarians per capita than any other country in the world. It is believed that the secret behind the long lives is the inclusion of yoghurt in their daily diet.
Yoghurt has high calcium and is also responsible for strengthening the bones. If you don’t get required quantity of calcium, your body may use the calcium from your bone and weaken you. Yogurt also contains “good bacteria” that helps in improving digestion and also other intestinal functions. If you want to slow down aging, then eating yogurt everyday can help you dramatically.
Broccoli and other green vegetables
Not just to prevent ageing, broccoli and other green vegetables are always better for you as they hardly have any adverse effects on you. Instead of the processed ready made meals, it is always better to enjoy the fresh green vegetables, like broccoli, spinach, kale, lettuce, cabbage, beans etc. You can make delicious dishes with these vegetables too. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants which will help you to prevent almost all the diseases like cancers, weak eyesight, heart problems etc.
Nuts
Nuts have omega 3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fats, vitamins and fibers which are useful to you. You can enjoy a handful of nuts daily, consisting of few almonds, cashews, peanuts. The nuts are good for your heart and will make you feel fuller. If you are trying to lose weight, then nuts are a good way to start. They are a powerful source of energy for your body.
Whole eggs
Immense researches have proved that the eggs have no connection with heart diseases. You can enjoy one whole egg daily. But if your medical history says that you have high blood pressure and cholesterol, then you must consult the doctor first before changing your diet. Eggs contain 9 essential kinds of amino acids, high protein, lutein and zeaxanthin, choline and Vitamin D. Eggs are good for your eyes, hair, heart, liver, intestines, muscles and bones. You have enough reason to start eating eggs today!
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in Vitamin C which enhances the process of collagen synthesis. This is how wrinkles and ageing of the skin can be prevented. You can replace the ordinary tea with green tea for your daily breakfast. Green tea also has anti oxidants polyphenols which protect your face from the UV rays of the sun.
Honey
Honey helps in better digestion, and proper blood circulation. Eat the honey everyday mixed in lukewarm water, and a teaspoon of lime juice. The honey will cleanse all the toxins of the body, your skin will glow and you will look much younger than your age. You can also apply some honey on your face as it acts as a natural moisturizer. Honey is very beneficial and can seriously help you slow down aging process.
Carrots
Carrots are extremely good for your eyes and skin; they are rich in Vitamin A, C and beta carotenes. Carrots help in preventing diseases like retinal problems, cataracts, macular degeneration etc. You can eat the carrots raw, boil them or even cook the carrots to include in your dishes; you can also make carrot juice and drink daily.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the super anti-aging food. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which can help prevent cancers like prostate cancer and kidney cancer. Researchers believe that tomatoes are more beneficial when they are heated or mashed. The more amount of lycopene is released from the tomato juice which is too useful for the body. You can use cooked or processed tomatoes like in sauce, pasta or puree as this better than the raw tomatoes.
Red Wine
This is a tricky ingredient. Once a day for women and twice a day for a man, is perceived as healthy for the body. Red wine helps in reducing blood clots, blood circulation is normalized, and it helps in lowering of cholesterol and blood pressure. If you do not drink, then do not start drinking red wine, all of a sudden. But otherwise moderate consumption may have positive impact on aging.
Foods to avoid if you want to age slow
The process of “calorie restriction” is the most evident and proven way by which you can stay young, even though your age is increasing with time. Time cannot be stopped, but you can take some measures on your part by which you can conquer time. You can look 20 years younger than your natural age.
By maintaining the calorie consumption you can stay a healthy and enjoy a longer life. But there are certain foods that may simply accelerate the aging process. If you want to slow down aging, you have to stop eating certain foods at all costs.
And here they are;
Sugary foods
Yes, sweets like candies, cakes and chocolates are harmful for you. If you are consuming these sugary foods daily then it is high time to restrict them. Sugary foods can increase the cholesterol and also the blood sugar levels of your body, thus increasing the risks of strokes and diabetes. You can enjoy limited sugary foods during occasions like Christmas, because you must never forget to enjoy life.
Junk oily foods
The junk foods like burgers, pizzas, potato chips, fries are filled with oil and calories and the high consumption of these foods can create havoc to the internal organs of the body.
If you like fried chips then you can make them at home with olive oil and enjoy. But eating fries daily is harmful for you, make it a point to have them only during special occasions and that too in a limited quantity.
Hard drinks and carbonated drinks
Grabbing some coke while you are thirsty is one of the worst habits of the modern world. If you are thirsty then drink water, avoid the alcohol, beers and carbonated drinks if you want to stay longer.
Smoking
This is the worst possible torture that you can inflict on your own body. If you love yourself and your family, then it is high time that you stop smoking now. If you are addicted to smoking, then there are ways by which you can put a check by chewing mint gums.
Smoking may cause cancer; heart blockages, breathing problems, and strokes. So quit smoking.
Healthy habits worth adopting to look younger
There will be several biological changes in the body, as you grow older. But negative thinking, stress, less hours of sleep and bad eating and living habits can seriously accelerate the process of aging.
Train your brain to be positive and accept that ageing is not bad. With age, comes the wisdom, so feel happy and young from within and this is probably the mantra of slowing down aging, to a good extent. If you are restless and always worrying, you will actually end up look much older than your age. So be positive, feel positive and enjoy every bit of it.
It is not possible to cheat death, but it is surely possible to delay it. You can do so by including some healthy habits in your daily life. Adopting some small habits is not at all a tough task; all you need to do is follow them regularly.
- Lower the consumption of raw salt in foods.
- Avoid red meat, fatty meats like pork and beef. Go for lean meats like chicken.
- If you are craving for something sweet, grab a sweet fruit like banana or apple, and not some candies and doughnuts.
- Replace the mustard oil and the processed vegetable oil with olive oil.
- Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
- Drink lots of water, 6-8 liters of water is needed for a healthy living.
- Go for morning walk or evening walk daily, 30 minutes of walk is more than enough.
- Some free hand exercises, Yoga, is necessary, as it will naturally keep the ailments away and also increase your immunity.
- Reduce the intake of coffee as it has high percentage of caffeine, instead have some green tea.
- Early to bed and early to rise is a good habit. Have your dinner by 8.00 PM.
- Stay away from rich and spicy foods as they are not good for your digestion.
- Have a regular medical checkup of your blood pressure, cholesterol so that prior caution can be taken.
- Instead of packet fruit juice, prefer fruit juices made at home using fresh fruits.
- Read your favourite book and do not forget to smile and laugh a lot. LAUGHTER is the best medicine, as you already know.
- Socialize with people. People who socialize a lot and have active social life have lower risks of heart diseases.
To conclude
A friend of mine says, age is just a number and even at the age of 49, she runs every morning and lives a very active and happy life. Probably that’s the reason; you won’t be able to judge her actual age.
In fact you will find innumerable examples within the society. There are people who look much younger than their actual age. And it’s not that they are not growing older, but they have managed to slow down the aging with right set of anti ageing diet and various activities.
Eat balanced, anti-aging diets that we have discussed here and keep yourself engaged in activities. Eat well, sleep well and think positively all the time. Negative thinking and stress can be disastrous to your health and accelerate ageing.
What do you think about aging and what are you doing it to slow it down?
