From a young age, we’re told how important it is to take care of our bodies, our teeth, and our skin. Yet, we tend to turn to hygiene products, exercise equipment, and other external factors to keep our bodies looking and feeling good.
Some of us spend countless hours in the gym each week. Some of us shell out hundreds of dollars per year for beauty products and skin creams. But there is a much simpler (and more effective) way to keep us looking and feeling young and healthy.
And it all starts with what we eat.
Here are eleven anti-aging foods to keep you looking and feeling youthful (plus a few extras that are just too delicious to not include!)
Green Tea
There’s no doubt about it:
Water is the most important thing you can drink to remain healthy.
But when you want a drink with some flavor, reach for green tea.
Green tea is high in antioxidants, specifically those that protect against free radicals.
Free radicals occur naturally in the body and travel through it as single molecules looking to pair up with other molecules. As they do this, they cause damage to cells and proteins throughout the body.
The antioxidants in green tea fight against those free radicals, which can damage the skin and make you look older.
Green tea also contains polyphenols, antioxidants that specifically improve collagen production. Collagen makes the skin look firmer, reduces wrinkles, and keeps blood flowing to the skin to create a more youthful appearance.
Olive Oil
Like green tea, olive oil also contains antioxidants that can fight against free radicals.
By passing on vegetable oils and corn oils in favor of olive oil, you can reduce the type of skin damage that causes wrinkles and blemishes.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are delicious, but it’s their lycopene content that makes them an anti-aging food.
Lycopene can actually neutralize free radicals and help to prevent wrinkles from forming on the skin.
Spinach
Spinach is also high in antioxidants to fight free radicals, but it has an added benefit:
It’s rich in potassium, which is great for brain health!
Salmon
Most fatty fishes are rich in omega-3 acids, which are good for your blood vessels and cardiovascular health. But salmon goes a step further.
This fish contains an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which helps to hydrate the skin. And if you want to look younger than your years, you need to keep your skin hydrated at all times.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is just one of the many citrus fruits that contain vitamin C.
And vitamin C isn’t just good for preventing a cold—it also stimulates collagen production, making the skin look younger with fewer wrinkles and fine lines.
Blueberries
Frozen as a snack or blended into a protein-packed smoothie, we can all agree that blueberries are delicious.
But in addition to tasting good, they’re also full of antioxidants to fight those nasty free radicals!
Almond Butter
If you love peanut butter, make the switch to almond butter and you’ll enjoy thicker, shinier, and healthier hair. Almond butter is high in vitamin E, which is excellent for both your hair and nails.
One tablespoon of almond butter contains 27% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin E, making it a super powerful addition to your daily diet.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great addition to coffee, pastries, and even savory dishes. But it also helps to improve circulation. Studies show that cinnamon has the power to relax your blood vessels, which means it can improve blood flow throughout the body.
That increased blood flow and circulation also help to deliver more nutrients and oxygen to your hair follicles.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavanols, which are known to protect the skin from sun damage.
It also helps to promote better blood flow and skin hydration, both of which can make you look younger.
Cheese
Cheese tends to be high in saturated fats and sodium. But when eaten in moderation, it can actually create a better smile.
Why?
Because cheese is high in calcium, and calcium helps to protect the enamel on your teeth!
More Anti-Aging Foods
There are all sorts of veggies, fruits, and spices that can make you feel younger on the inside and look younger on the outside.
Need to punch up the flavor of your favorite lunchtime salad? Want to give your favorite protein a new flavor profile? Looking for a new snack that you enjoy at any time of day?
Here are a few more anti-aging food options to add to your daily diet:
- Avocados: Rich in fatty acids to promote smooth skin
- Broccoli: Includes vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, and fiber
- Mushrooms: Full of antioxidants to fight free radicals
- Acai berries: Loaded with antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin A
- Pineapple: Includes alpha-hydroxy acids to fight free radicals
- Lentils: Packed with protein and fiber to help maintain blood sugar levels
- Turmeric: Has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to minimize skin conditions
Conclusion
You can invest in the most expensive eye cream and/or spend thousands of dollars per year on a personal trainer. But what we put into our bodies is much more important than what we put on them or how we exercise them.
You can make your insides feel better. You can make your body function better. And you can make your outward appearance look younger just by incorporating a few anti-aging foods into your diet.
Here’s what’s important to remember:
The more you can incorporate powerful, healthy foods into your diet, the better off you’ll be.
There’s more to anti-aging foods than just looking good on the outside. A healthy, balanced diet that includes these anti-aging foods can also help you build a stronger immune system.
And that’s something that everyone, especially in 2021, should be looking to do.
[Client bio]
Caitlin Sinclair is the property manager at Harmony 3900.