Anti-ageing Foods - Slideshow

Introduction

The word 'anti-ageing' conjures up images of cosmetics, botox and 'wonder pills'. However, the magic potion for lasting youth lies in the food that we consume in our daily diet. Let's take a look at some of the foods that slows ageing!

Water

It may not be a food as such but it is one of the most important nutrients vital to our body. Water keeps our skin hydrated and flushes out toxins that create wrinkles. Drinking enough water ensures a supple skin and a glowing complexion.

Berries

Berries are a rich source of vitamin C and are powerful anti-ageing agents. Vitamin C is necessary to make collagen, a component necessary for skin elasticity.

Make blueberries, gooseberries, cranberries, strawberries and raspberries part of your diet. They contain antioxidants that slow ageing. They also help improve circulation, provide essential minerals and salts, and even fight cancer.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel sprouts contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can enhance the liver's capacity to detoxify harmful, carcinogenic compounds. These veggies help to keep your blood flowing and skin glowing, while also helping to fight age-related vision impairment and blindness. The vitamin C in these vegetables helps the body make collagen which is an important protein that is required to maintain and repair skin elasticity. Along with vitamin E and other phytonutrients, it blocks some of the damage done by free radicals. (These free radicals build up over time and contribute to the aging process.)

Nuts

Nuts are laden with 'good fats' that do a lot of good for the heart and skin. They contain anti-oxidants like Vitamin E and selenium that do wonders to the skin. Regularly eating a handful of nuts such as walnuts and almonds reduces cholesterol levels, cleanses the system and keeps skin youthful.

Avocado

Avocado is a calorie-rich fruit and has plenty of nutrients such as Vitamin E that causes lustrous hair and glowing skin . It also has 'good fats' that help to reduce cholesterol. Including avocados in our diet will help control ageing and promote good health.

Ginger

Ancient cultures have always included ginger in their cuisine and have promoted it as a 'superfood'. The pungent compound allicin in ginger has powerful anti-ageing properties. A little bit of ginger oil added to the regular moisturizer can do wonders for the skin.

Fish

It is a well-known fact that eating fish can make your skin glow. Fish are great sources of lean protein. The natural oil present in fish like cod, mackerel and sardines can keep the skin looking youthful. Fish has a high level of omega-3 fatty acids which help to minimize diseases such as stroke and prostate cancer.

Red wine

Red wine has a component, resveratrol, which helps to slow down ageing considerably. Research has reported that drinking red wine in moderation has anti-ageing benefits.

Chocolate

Chocolates are super-stress busters but how many of us know that dark bitter chocolate could take fine lines off our face? Chocolates are 'super foods' containing flavonoids and other anti-oxidants that have anti-ageing properties. Adding dark chocolates to our diet can help us to remain youthful.