I get it – totally! As we age, we want to feel beautiful and look great. Sometimes we look in the mirror and see those lines and wrinkles creeping in and it can be very disconcerting. We can begin to feel our own mortality or feel less “glamorous” or “sexy” than we did when we were younger. The struggle is worse for some more so than others.
What about you? Does the aging process cause you concern or are you aging gracefully?
I can’t say I feel particularly “graceful” about the whole process. To be totally honest, I do NOT like looking in the mirror only to see the signs of aging. But I am blessed, because I know I don’t look my age. Some of that, I believe, is genetics, and some of it is because of how I take care of myself – on the inside as well as on the outside.
This week, I am taking a deeper dive into how you can enjoy some of the benefits of the anti-aging process.
Early aging has a lot to do with your diet and your lifestyle. Our body is like a machine—good input leads to good output. What you ingest and put in your body has a huge impact on your biological system and your long-term health. A natural lifestyle does not have instant effects, but the long-term benefits are invaluable. Staying active and eating a nutrient-packed balanced diet can help slow the aging process and even prevent numerous diseases.
Here are a few foods that can help you live a long and healthy life with great skin and a great body.
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil has many anti-aging benefits. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are can have a huge impact on the prevention or delay of heart disease and cancer. Olive oil also has polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases. It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the protein, minerals, and vitamins you need for healthy skin and hair. It has vitamins B and D to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and oleic acid and polyphenols to help smooth skin.
2. Pomegranate
Packed with vitamin C, pomegranates are great for softening skin and guarding it against sun damage. The juice in pomegranate seeds contains punicalagin and ellagic acid, which is a polyphenol compound that combats damage from free radicals. Punicalagin is a super nutrient that improves your body’s ability to preserve collagen, a subdermal connective tissue that makes skin look smooth and plump.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is rich in calcium, which plays a huge role in staving off osteoporosis, and contains good bacteria that help in the maintenance of gut health. Yogurt contains live bacterial cultures, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, that fight the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria and help restore balance in the intestine. These probiotics result in better health and can help prevent age-related illnesses.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any other food. These give your skin an extra defense against skin-damaging free radicals that result from exposure to the sun, over-exercise, and even emotional stress. Half a cup of blueberries every day can help in the prevention of the cell-structure damage that can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Anthocyanin is also found in blueberries and functions just like an anti-inflammatory and can help maintain healthy brain function.
5. Fish
Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which helps prevent cholesterol buildup in the arteries and provides protection against abnormal heart rhythms. Fish oil and fish proteins are used in the beauty industry worldwide. They promote healthy-looking skin and the omegas found in fish are essential for regulating blood clotting, body temperature, body pressure, and the immune system.
