We’re always hearing about the latest fad diet, the newest supplements, and the recently discovered “superfoods” that experts recommend we stock our refrigerators with. Today, we’re going to break down some anti-aging superfood fact and fiction to get to the truth of how our diet can affect our aging process.
Anti-aging is a lifestyle
The biggest truth of them all is that anti-aging is a lifestyle. No one factor––whether it be a healthy diet, staying out of the sun, or getting regular chemical peels––can keep us looking young, but a combination of these (and more) gives us our best chance at maintaining youthful skin and facial features as we age.
With this lifestyle in mind, we can say that eating an anti-aging superfood once in a while or going on infrequent health cleanses, isn’t going to turn back the clock. But maintaining a healthy diet that regularly incorporates these foods can promote graceful aging throughout the entire body.
Best foods to support anti-aging
Recent studies have indicated that diets high in fruits and vegetables (and the diverse range of vitamins that come with them), as well as other plant-based staples like grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, can boost longevity.
More specifically, research has shown that the following foods can have a significant and positive impact on aging.
Blueberries – Like we apply antioxidants to our skin topically, we can consume them for their antiaging and health benefits for our entire bodies! Blueberries are one of the most antioxidant-rich foods, containing superb vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C.
Walnuts – Walnuts are a great source of healthy fats, which can help keep your skin thick and moisturized, as well as a healthy and energy-packed snack!
Beans & Legumes – It may be a surprise to see an entire food group on this list, but beans are one of the few foods that straddle the line between protein and carb, making them versatile and easy to incorporate regularly into your diet. Plus, they’re filled with vitamins (and those antioxidants again!) and have been proven to reduce the risk of many health concerns and promote longevity.
Avocados – Avocados are another great source of those healthy fats, as well as antioxidant Vitamin E.
Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are full of vitamins and nutrients, including beta carotene, an antioxidant that is absorbed by your skin and used by your body to help prevent damage from sun exposure. Beta carotene is found in other orange foods, as well, such as oranges and carrots.
Broccoli – Broccoli is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and carotenoids (like lutein, which works similarly to beta carotene), but they also contain a unique compound called sulforaphane, which helps prevent damage to the body, including the skin, by neutralizing free radicals and signaling the body’s protective systems to activate.
The skin is the body’s largest organ, so it’s safe to say that in general, the things that are healthy for your body and its longevity are healthy for your skin! Maintaining a healthy diet that regularly features foods like those listed above, is a crucial step to any graceful aging lifestyle.
