Key Points
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The best anti-aging foods are fruits because they contain a wide array of vitamins and minerals.
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Choose drinks that fight against signs of aging, such as coffee or green tea.
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Incorporate Hindi spices to give anti-aging foods an extra punch.
Whether 30 is right around the corner, or you've passed well over double that, you've probably started to notice signs of aging in your body — gray hairs here and there, constant aches in your joints, or perhaps lines and wrinkles on your face. You know that healthy food makes a body healthy, but do certain foods actually prevent aging? Yes! Anti-aging foods like fruits contain vitamins and minerals that aid in healthy gut digestion and prevent harmful diseases. What you drink is just as important to your health as what you eat. Much like putting gasoline in a car, you want to intake liquids that fuel your body and mind.
If you need anti-aging advice or inspiration on what meals to cook, check out anti-aging recipes to make your favorite dish. Create your own meals with anti-aging foods and drinks to benefit your body and mental health.
Fruits That Prevent Aging
There's an abundance of fruits that not only taste good but are good for your body and combat aging. Fruits have antioxidants that improve immunity, boost cognitive states, and keep skin looking healthy. Fruits also have the power to fight against damaged skin cells that cause cancer and diseases.
Blackberries
Blackberries taste great mixed into a pie, smoothie, or on their own. Since blackberries are more than 85 percent water, they provide hydration for the skin to prevent breakouts. Blackberries are jam-packed with vitamins A, C, and K, all of which assist in the production of collagen to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
Blackberries aid in brain function by preventing memory loss. The antioxidants in blackberries fight free radicals in your body and thus prevent brain damage. Incorporate blackberries in your meals by adding blackberries to dry cereal or oatmeal. Purchase blackberry muffins or scones as well. Add blackberries to salads for even more health benefits.
Bananas
You can't deny the delectableness of sliced bananas on a piece of peanut butter toast, added to an ice cream sundae, or covered in chocolate. Bananas contain potassium, which promotes new skin cell growth. Potassium smooths wrinkles and dark spots caused by age. Potassium relaxes the outer edges of blood vessels to prevent high blood pressure and muscle cramps.
Due to their high zinc content, bananas prevent acne. Zinc also keeps skin feeling and looking firm by working with collagen and elastin fibers. Bananas have probiotic bacteria that absorb calcium in the body to build stronger bones. Add bits of banana to yogurt, or on top of a hardy stack of pancakes. The additional nutrients in bananas add flavor and fun to otherwise ordinary meals.
Watermelon
Do you remember those lazy days of summer, eating pieces of watermelon and spitting out those pesky seeds? Watermelon is more than just a summertime staple. Eat it year-round for its anti-aging health benefits. Watermelon contains lycopene, a natural compound that gives red and pink foods their color due to the chemical carotenoid. Lycopene regenerates new skin cells, repairs damaged skin cells, and fights free radicals.
Cut up chunks of watermelon and put them on skewer sticks. Dip the skewered chunks of watermelon into melted chocolate and refrigerate for half an hour. If chocolate isn't quite your thing, chop bits of watermelon into a bowl with corn, onions, pepper, and cilantro to make a light summer salsa.
Strawberries
Whether it's strawberry cheesecake or strawberry shakes, this berry is sure to make your mouth water. Strawberries have ellagic acid: an antioxidant found in various fruits. Its properties fight against skin inflammation and cancer-causing diseases. Another benefit of ellagic acid is that it protects the skin against the sun's ultraviolet rays by stopping enzymes that aid in collagen destruction. When this occurs, the skin isn't prone to wrinkles.
Make avocado toast and add strawberries on top. The strawberries provide a succulent flavor with the zestiness of avocado. Take fresh-picked strawberries and dip them into whipped cream to eat as a snack during the day.
Grapes
Grapes are more than just the foundational ingredient of wine. These small, ovular fruits are either green, red, or purple with slight color mutations. Grapes aren't as nutrient-dense as other fruits, but they're still a good source of potassium and vitamins C and K. Red grapes contain resveratrol – a group of compounds called polyphenols that act like antioxidants. They protect against diseases and cancers. Resveratrol has skin-soothing properties that fight against acne and rosacea. It is often used in topical over-the-counter medications to prevent wrinkles.
Put grapes on a charcuterie board alongside a variety of sliced cheese and crackers the next time you host a dinner party. Make tuna salad with the usual celery, onion, and mayonnaise, but add chopped-up grapes to the mix. Your taste buds are sure to love the savoriness of the ingredients together.
Peaches
Who doesn't love biting into a succulent peach? Eating peaches provides numerous health benefits. Peaches contain fiber, which aids digestion. They also contain caffeic acid – a compound that protects against breast and colon cancer by reducing the growth of cancerous cells. Further, peaches have flavonoids that slow the process of aging by fighting free radicals from damaging skin cells.
Though they look similar and both contain vitamin C, peaches and nectarines are different from one another. Nectarines are smaller and easier to peel. Peaches have a fuzzy appearance whereas nectarines don't. Both peaches and nectarines contain potassium which improves heart health and regulates blood pressure, leading to long-lasting health benefits as you age.
Include peaches in your diet by adding them as a side to a dinner meat dish like pork chops or meatloaf. Add peaches or nectarines on top of vanilla ice cream and drizzle honey or maple syrup with cinnamon sprinkled on top for a sweet treat. These fruits are a healthy substitute for – or addition to – any sugary dessert.
Drinks That Aid in Anti-Aging
Believe it or not, some drinks aid in anti-aging. Healthy drinks provide additional nutrients. If you want to fight against wrinkles, try these vitamin-rich fruit and vegetable juices. You don't have to only drink smoothies or kale juice every day to live a healthy lifestyle. Common drinks like coffee, tea, and water have anti-aging properties that banish age spots and enable healthier digestion.
Coffee
Have a cup or two of coffee in the morning to start your day. Coffee contains polyphenols that prevent the appearance of sunspots. Coffee also aids in stomach digestion and gut health. It has gastrin and hydrochloric acid that break down the food in the stomach for easy digestion.
Do not add too much sugar or sweeteners. Replace regular milk with almond or oat milk if you're lactose intolerant. If you want to mix it up, add a splash of flavored creamer.
Tea
Have a cup of tea daily. Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants that prevent aging and heart disease. Green tea has catechin in it which prevents lung, stomach, breast, and throat cancers. Catechin also delays the onset risk of dementia. There are traces of caffeine in green tea that make you feel alert during the day. Green tea extracts improve fat oxidation within the body and speed up metabolism, making them a frequent ingredient in weight loss supplements.
Oolong tea is also a great fat burner. Oolong tea has an amino acid called L-theanine in it that elevates sleep quality while reducing stress and anxiety. It also prevents tooth decay and promotes gum health.
Black tea is rich in antioxidants and assists with congestion. Black tea stimulates collagen production to protect the flexibility and mobility of your bones.
Water
Drink water to hydrate the skin from the inside out. Hydrated skin looks fresh and youthful. Not only does water flush out toxins, but it's essential when regulating blood sugar and blood pressure. Your kidneys absorb water when you drink water. If you don't drink enough water, your kidneys could hold water for too long, leading to various health issues.
If you feel you aren't getting enough water, take a bottle with you everywhere you go. You'll always have it on hand and won't go thirsty. If you don't like the taste of plain water, mix it in a flavored powder to give the taste a boost. Cut up and add citrus fruits for extra nutrients.
Milk
Dairy milk has lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acid: two ingredients found in anti-aging products. Lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acid remove dead skin cells and promote new cell growth. Milk contains retinol. Retinol is in many skincare products and restores the skin's elasticity.
If you don't drink dairy milk, try soy milk. Soy milk has anti-aging properties that rejuvenate skin. It contains a compound called isoflavones that fights against sun damage. Soy also firms skin and reduces redness caused by rosacea or acne.
Almond milk is another substitute for dairy milk. Almonds contain vitamins D and E. Vitamin D assists in strong bone growth and healthy immune systems. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that repairs damaged skin cells, and alleviates feelings of stress within the body.
Wine
Drink wine in moderation to induce proper health. Since wine comes from grapes, red wine has resveratrol: the aforementioned plant-derived compound that protects cell and DNA strength. Resveratrol is in many anti-aging supplements and lotions because it fights against free radicals that damage cells in the skin.
Drink white wine if you prefer crisp-tasting wine versus sweet red wine. White wine reduces the appearance of acne, improves facial skin elasticity, and produces new skin cells. White wine has caffeic acid to assist with collagen production and reduce fine lines.
Hindu Ingredients and Foods for Anti-Aging
While Americans center their food largely around meat and potatoes, Indian dishes have zesty spices and tasty vegetables. Check out these Indian dishes and recipes and try something new. Embrace Indian-based spices and seasonings in your everyday meals for anti-aging effects. Not only are you exposing your palette to different cuisines, you also erase years from your body.
Turmeric
Turmeric is commonly used in Indian cooking to give curry its color and flavor. Turmeric heals wounds because it has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Turmeric keeps skin infections at bay by lessening oil secretion from sebaceous glands. Curcumin – turmeric’s active ingredient – is an anti-aging component that protects skin cells from damage and stimulates growth. By itself, curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body, so pair it with black pepper whose active ingredient – piperine – helps your body make full use of curcumin's benefits!
Use turmeric to season soups, curry, and meat. Make turmeric tea by adding turmeric powder to boiling water.
Nuts and Seeds
Certain nuts and seeds contain Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids fight against skin inflammation. Protect the skin from harmful sunlight by eating foods that contain Omega-3.
Omega-3 also supports the skin's structure by preventing wrinkles. Fiber improves skin circulation by delivering nutrients to the skin. Flaxseeds and walnuts reduce redness and acne whereas almonds make your skin glow and appear youthful.
Eat nuts and seeds on their own, or crush them to use as seasoning on top of meats and vegetables.
Tulsi
Known as Holy Basil, people use tulsi for both medicinal and religious purposes in India. Tulsi is a natural astringent used to moisturize hair and skin. Not only does it clear the skin of impurities, but it also tightens pores and prevents skin infections. Consume tulsi to prevent skin, liver, and kidney diseases.
Add tulsi leaves to a cup of tea for antioxidant benefits that'll enrich your body and skin.
The Right Foods and Drinks for Anti-Aging Benefits
Eating an abundance of fruit gives your body key vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals not only keep your skin clear but also contain properties that fight against cancer and other diseases. Fruits make delectable sides to main meal courses and delicious snacks to munch on throughout the day.
Don't forget to stay hydrated and drink water to flush toxins from your system. Coffee and tea have antioxidant properties that fight against bacteria and aid in digestion. Keep Indian spices on hand to further battle the signs of aging.
The key to reaping the benefits of anti-aging food and drink is to play the long game — remain consistent in your healthy habits. Nourish your body from the inside out and in no time you'll feel as young as you look!
