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The Best Foods To Fight Aging
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The quest for longevity has been a constant across many cultures throughout history. There are places around the world where people regularly live into their 80s and 90s. Why do some countries and regions produce people who live to advanced ages and retain their health till the very end, while others produce people who die much sooner?
People have taken many paths to find the secret to long life. Some put their faith in superstition and magic, while others were more keen observers of the mundane. Such people noticed how certain foods seemed to lend themselves to more health and vigor in old age, and even prolong life itself.
Modern science has confirmed that genetics aside, it is diet, along with leading a physically active life, that are the greatest factors in lifespan and preserving a youthful appearance. This article will explore which foods are the most effective for helping you fight the signs of aging and having a long and healthy life.
1. It’s all about the oils
You’ve probably heard that Mediterranean diets are healthy, but until fairly recently, people didn’t really understand why those in the Mediterranean area seemed to live a long time and enjoy such good health. The secret is one of the most ubiquitous ingredients in the cuisines of this region: olive oil.
Olive oil is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, and one of the few “superfoods” that is truly deserving of the term. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that help lower the risk of developing heart disease. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which assist in maintaining brain health.
Olive oil also provides polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant that can fight off free radicals and age-related diseases.
Another oil which is highly beneficial is coconut oil. This oil is also filled with healthy essential fats, with a copious amount medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). A study published in the Neurobiology of Aging medical journal found that just a mere 40ml dose of coconut oil was able to improve cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Bear in mind that this was in patients who already had a serious neurodegenerative condition. A lifetime of regular consumption of coconut oil and other MCT-rich foods may reduce the chances of such conditions ever developing in the first place.
Coconut oil can also fight aging via topical use. Applying it to the skin will moisturize the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and prevent further ones from developing. It has also proven effective in relieving certain skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and xerosis. Of course, if you have a serious skin condition, it is recommended that you speak with your dermatologist before adding coconut oil or any other oil to your skin treatment, especially if you are already using another treatment.
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2. Fruits & veggies
Berries are one of the most potent anti-aging foods you can eat. The great thing about berries is that you can never get bored of them, because there’s just so much variety! Blackberries, strawberries, grapes, raspberries, cherries, black currants, boysenberries and particularly blueberries are packed full of nutrients that fight off the effects of aging and maintain optimal health.
Eating berries can lower your risk of heart disease and fight inflammation. Berries are also rich in antioxidants, which fight the aging process. Oxidative stress on cells contributes to the process of aging. The antioxidants in berries help fight the free radicals which fuel this process, effectively keeping you biologically “younger” than you would otherwise be.
There’s just no downside to incorporating more berries into your diet.
Another item you should add to your diet is avocado, which is rich in vitamin E and potassium. Avocados are also a good source of good fats and antioxidants which will stave off the effects of oxidative stress.
3. Fish
Remember the Mediterranean diet mentioned above? It’s not a coincidence that it was included in an article about foods that fight aging and neurodegenerative decline. Foods from this region are filled with foods perfectly suited to this task. In fact, a diet specially designed to combat neurodegenerative decline, the “MIND Diet,” is largely based around foods from this region.
One the prominent foods in both the MIND diet and Mediterranean cuisine is fish. You’ve probably heard that fish is brain food. There’s a reason for that. Fish is generally very high in fat, but it is healthy omega-3 fats. The brain is composed of around 60% fatty tissue, and eating lots of fish will nourish this fat-based organ and prevent age-related memory loss and decline in cognitive performance.
READ ALSO: A Japanese Diet May Hold The Key For Anti-Aging
Incorporate more of these foods into your diet while reducing your intake of sugars and unhealthy carbs, and you will put yourself on the road to looking and feeling young for a very long time.
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