The Undeniable Connection Between Aging and Nutrition
What you eat affects how you look because diet matters on the cellular level. The link between aging and nutrition has been proven in countless studies in the past decade – but it’s still ignored for the most part.
Getting premature wrinkles and skin that appears dull and lifeless is something most women fear. By the time we hit forty, we’re fighting a serious battle against the effects of time and history.
3 Powerful Anti-Aging Foods To the Rescue!
Eating quality food is one of the simplest and most direct ways to keep your skin healthy all your life. You need a combination of the “anti-aging trio” to battle the years and prevent them from showing on your face.
- Healthy food
- Lowering your daily stress (especially chronic stress)
- Plenty of quality sleep
These aren’t even a trick! They’re common sense solutions that take very little effort, don’t cost a fortune, and will give you measurable results....
You want healthier, more youthful skin. A diet of healthy, delicious food is a major step to get you there. Here are 3 anti-aging foods that don’t get nearly enough attention during conversations about aging and nutrition.
Use them as powerful weapons in the fight to keep your skin lovely!
#1 - Baobab
This little-known fruit is pretty interesting when it comes to anti-aging. The leaves have protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, alpha-carotene, and cryptoxanthin. 1
Both the fruit and the seed kernels have all the above nutrients plus magnesium, iron, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and healthy fats.
Baobab contains citric, tartaric, malic, and succinic acids.2 Malic acid helps you use oxygen better and works as a natural pain reliever. Succinic acid is a mild but effective detoxifier.3
Cryptoxanthin is a neglected carotenoid that’s essential for eye health and stronger bones. It also shows incredible promise in the prevention of cancer.
Did you know…
The seeds of the baobab also have gamma-tocopherol, beta-sitosterol, and squalene – which has been shown to kill many kinds of cancer calls.
#2 - Sea Vegetables
When it comes to some of the best anti-aging nutrition, foods from the ocean have proven time and again to boost health, fight the ravages of time, and provide powerful antioxidant compounds not found in any other foods on earth.
Seaweed and algae are outstanding choices to make for your body. Kelp, arame, nori, wakame, spirulina, and chlorella can be found in Asian food markets for cooking or dried for use in your daily shake.
Just a few of the major nutrients found in sea vegetables and algae are iodine, vitamin C, manganese, and multiple B vitamins.
They have few calories so they’re a nutrient-dense food that make them ideal for those looking to lose weight, diabetics, and people with heart disease. These foods help to keep your skin’s moisture barrier intact and prevent the entry of free radicals and toxins.4
Did you know…
Sea vegetables work wonders as a face mask! Combine 2 tablespoons of kelp powder, 1 tablespoon of raw honey, and a few drops from an orange for a wonderful topical mask that rejuvenates and refreshes skin. Apply liberally, leave on for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water, and pat dry. You’re going to love the way your skin feels!
#3 - Blood Oranges
These dark oranges have an abundance of the antioxidant anthocyanin that’s been proven to target free radicals damaging your skin. Blood oranges fight UV damage naturally by giving you protection on the cellular level.5
If you’re a person who loves the outdoors, make sure you liberally apply natural sunscreen and snack on blood oranges. They’re also available in several organic juices so make sure you stock up in the summer months!
Did you know…
Blood oranges contain excellent amounts of folate (about 40mg per orange). If you’re pregnant or nursing, eat a couple of these delicious citrus fruits each day to protect fetal development.6
When it comes to aging and nutrition, keeping it simple is your best bet. You can find these delicious natural anti-aging helpers at your local health food store or online. They’re worth checking out…and your skin will thank you!
References
1Medical News Today: Baobab – Health Benefits and Nutritional Breakdown http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306445.php
2Baobab Dried Fruit Pulp – An application for Novel Foods Approval in the EU as a food ingredient.” Herbal Sciences International Ltd., 2006.
3Huffington Post: What is Baobab? http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/15/what-is-baobab-health-benefits-recipes_n_6471434.html
4Mind Body Green: All You Need To Know About Eating Sea Vegetables http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10124/all-you-need-to-know-about-eating-sea-vegetables.html
5SuperFoodsRX: Why I Love Blood Oranges (And Why You Should, Too)
http://www.superfoodsrx.com/healthyliving/blood-oranges-nutrition-information/
6National Public Radio: Blood Oranges: Change You Can Believe In
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99883518