10 Anti-Aging Foods You Should Include In Your Diet

Did you know that you could look up to six years younger just by eating the right foods? Think of the money you would be saving on lotions, creams and painful treatments that only work short-term. Pretty amazing, right? That old saying, “You are what you eat,” certainly does hold merit and here are ten anti-aging foods you might want to consider adding to your daily diet.

Dark Chocolate

Rich in flavonoids, it’s not just a decadent treat that melts in your mouth but also, will slow down the aging process.

Nutty Proteins

Eating 1/4 cup (roughly a fistful) of almonds, cashews, walnuts or pecans per week not only fights against heart disease and cancer, they will also repair cell damage and slow the aging process because of the magnesium, healthy fats and Vitamins B and E they contain.

Pomegranate Seeds

The juice contained in these seeds are rich in ellagic acid and punic alagin – two mighty agents that fight damage from free radicals and preserve the collagen in your skin.

Antioxidant Rich Berries

Cup for cup (fresh or frozen) eaten three times a week, berries have more protective anti-aging plant antioxidants than almost any other food. They not only lower your disease risks, they help prevent memory loss and fight free radicals that cause wrinkles. Because they’re high in filling fiber, they will also help to curb weight gain.

Omegas Oh My!

Eating Salmon twice a week will help regulate blood pressure, fend off heart disease and keep your skin supple because of the high content of Vitamins B12 & D these servings contain.

Greens Galore

You can’t meet your nutritional needs without these: spinach, collard greens, kale, chard and romaine lettuce. They deliver a huge supply of anti-aging Vitamin A, which supports skin-cell turnover that will keep your skin soft and supple. Try to eat two servings a day, if you can… for example, one cup of cooked greens or two cups of raw greens.

Whole Grains

These are a nutritional power source that can prevent a host of health problems like cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Try to eat six of your daily recommended grains a week like a slice of whole-grain bread, half-cup of brown rice or quinoa, or cup of whole grain cereal daily.

Colorful Veggies

A serving of yellow and orange vegetables supplies five times the beta carotene you need daily to lower your cancer risk, defend against colds and infections, protect your skin from sun damage, and keep your scalp healthy and hair both shiny and youthful. The potassium in these veggies will maintain a healthy heartbeat and also lower your blood pressure. Aim for two half-cup servings a day, which can be the equivalent of one sweet potato or a cup of butternut squash or carrots.

Probiotics

Yogurt (plain, low-fat, non-fat) is a great source of B Vitamins, protein, calcium and active cultures (the healthy bacteria known as probiotics), which crowd out disease-causing germs. Try to get at least four or more cups a week into your system, or supplement with an all-natural probiotic.

Beans

These are high in protein and will promote hair growth while thickening hair cells by making the fibers stronger (i.e. kidney, lima, pinto, white, chickpeas, black).