Aging is something that every human being has to go through. It is part of life, and there really is no way to totally stop it. I suppose that is why one of the greatest legends that we came up with is related to the Fountain of Youth. Everyone wants to be able to stop aging. And, while we cannot totally stop it, there are some things that are at our disposal which could help us delay the effects of aging.
There are general guidelines as to what and how we should eat. The basics are to take it easy on the fat and eat healthily. To get down to the specifics, here are 5 food groups that fight aging best.
Omega-3 Rich Food
Omega-3 is a fatty acid that is found in seafood; certain kinds of fish, especially. Think salmon, tuna, and sardines. Word of caution: swordfish, shark, and king mackerel have omega-3 as well, but are also known to have high mercury content.
What omega-3 does is to fight inflammation. In addition to this, there are studies that show that omega-3 generally helps individuals to feel better – mood and attitude-wise. When all these effects are combined, the results are people feeling more vigorous and energetic. For those who do not particularly like fish and seafood, there are alternative sources of omega-3 – walnuts and flaxseed.
Fruits and Vegetables
In general, fruits and vegetables are always good for the diet. Anyone who wants to lose weight or to eat more healthily is always advised to eat more produce than meat. Vegetables and fruit are not fattening but are filling. The big plus, when it comes to anti-aging, is that certain fruits and vegetables contain a lot of anti-oxidants, which are critical to delaying the effects of aging.
Berries, in particular, are very rich in anti-oxidants. Blueberries, blackberries – practically all sorts of berries have very high anti-oxidant content. These anti-oxidants fight free radicals, which are at the root of cell degradation.
With aging comes failing eyesight, and to keep your eyesight as sharp as possible, for as long as possible, dose up on dark leafy vegetables. Think spinach and the like.
Broccoli is another vegetable that you should load up on, together with broccoli sprouts. They have sulforaphane, which basically step up the release of enzymes which cleanses the body of toxins.
Proteins
We all know that we need protein for a balanced diet, but did you know that protein can help your body keep on functioning better as you get older. This is based on a simple concept: our bodies need muscles to keep our metabolism up. As we grow older, our muscles degrade. One way to counter that is by making sure we get enough protein in our bodies.
You already know the usual protein source: meat. Do stay away from the fat, though. Stick to chicken (without the skin), lean pork, lean beef, turkey, and eggs. There are also the alternative sources of protein: soy and other beans. There’s also dairy products – yoghurt and low fat cheese.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are always part of a healthy diet, and if you eat healthily, your chances of fighting aging are much higher. Whole grains have a lot of fiber, which helps fill you up more, meaning you shouldn’t have the urge to eat more than you should. More so, eating a lot of whole grains help ward serious diseases such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and colon cancer among many others.
What food items should you eat to get your dose of whole grains? You won’t go wrong with whole wheat and its products, oats, brown rice, and the like. Remember to have these items as part of your daily diet.
Red Wine
Yes! Red wine made it to the list. Before we go any further, let me emphasize the importance of moderation. Red wine, just like many other food and drink items, has its advantages, but if you imbibe too much, the disadvantages will outweigh the benefits.
So how can red wine help combat aging? Red wine is packed to the brim with resveratrol, which is one of the best anti-oxidants out there. We’ve already talked about the effects of anti-oxidants on aging, so no need to dwell on that. There are other benefits to drinking red wine – inflammation is avoided or controlled, as well as artery clogging.
There are other beverages that can help fight anti-aging. Coffee and tea have also been found to be helpful in lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even fight memory loss.
At the end of the day, eating these food items will help you get going on the track to fighting aging more effectively. You should not forget, however, that it’s not only about food intake. You also need to remember that a proper lifestyle is instrumental to being healthy.
excellent website congrac!