Anti-aging is not about vanity. It is about healthfully delaying the aging process, turning back time whenever possible, or reversing the effects of neglect on our bodies. Finding ways to slow down the aging process is part of an intelligent health plan, no matter what age you are.
When we are younger, our bodies overcome our bad choices pretty quickly. We can eat what we want and not see any negative results immediately. If you were a picky eater as a kid and only ate Kraft macaroni and cheese and Snack Pack pudding, it might not have slowed you down much. Over time, your choices catch up to you, and having a poor diet begins to affect your health, your stamina, and your overall appearance. What once felt like a safe and comfortable choice has become a health risk.
Food is fuel. It can also be medicine or a caloric fountain of youth. Food can help stop the clock from ticking too fast and keep your body healthy into your later years. Eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals can undo the damage caused by too many cheeseburgers or pints of ice cream. Even if you do not have a history of healthy eating, you can slow down the aging process immediately by making some wise food choices.
Consider these three ways you can stop the clock with your healthy food choices-
Eating a rainbow stops the clock- When it comes to food choices, the more options, the better. When choosing healthy foods for anti-aging, eat a rainbow of colors. Every color represented in the produce section of your grocer has a specific benefit for your body. Choose various colors, and you will attack the free radicals floating around in your body from different angles.
- Deep red and purple- These fruits and vegetables reduce antioxidants in your bloodstream and help manage estrogen levels.
- Yellow and orange- provide vitamin C and detoxify harmful carcinogens
- Green and light green- provide folate and destroy cancer cells
- Blue and brown- add fiber and attack carcinogens
Eating a wide variety of colors will help you attack the bad stuff in your body while adding plenty of good things your body needs.
Eating gut-friendly foods stops the clock- Your gut is responsible for a lot of your overall health. Did you know there are good and not-so-good things going on in your stomach? What you eat can contribute to your overall gut health and digestion. Focusing on prebiotic and probiotic foods can help you keep your gut healthy.
Prebiotic foods- These are foods that the bacteria in your stomach use to thrive. They consume the foods you eat, which helps keep the healthy bacteria in your digestive system thriving and high enough in numbers to do their job. Too few beneficial bacteria can lead to bowel disease, inflammation, and digestive disorders.
Probiotic foods- These foods are live organisms that help keep your digestive system healthy. They come from live cultures and are found in dairy products, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Routinely consuming these foods can help with irritable bowel syndrome, aid in digestion, and reduce the intensity of common colds.
Water-dense foods stop the clock- Our bodies are made mostly of water. We need an additional amount of water consumed for our bodies to stay hydrated and functioning optimally. We can consume water by drinking it or eating it. Thankfully, many foods are water-dense and contribute to the water we need to consume daily. Grapes, melon, cucumber, berries, and citrus fruits are good sources of water-rich foods.
It is easy to use food as a practical and healthy way to stop the clock in aging. Purposefully choosing foods that fight disease, create good gut health, and keep you hydrated will surely make a massive difference in your longevity.
Until next time, stay safe, and keep the faith.
