We are all aware of the benefits of antioxidants. These are substances that help the body defend itself against free radicals. Free radicals cause various diseases. Many experts believe antioxidants prevent atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries, cancer, and arthritis. Antioxidants increase immunity, which prevents free radicals from causing colds, flu, and various other infections. This connection between antioxidants and aging is a new discovery and awareness levels of these anti-aging properties of antioxidants are still at a low level.
How do Antioxidants Help with Aging?
Cell replacement occurs due to cell division. This process results in the production of more cells that replace cells that are damaged or have undergone wear and tear. This is an ongoing process, and the human body goes through approximately 10,000 trillion cell divisions in a lifetime. Cell division and replacement rates vary according to each person. For example, human skin cells live for approximately 28 days before they die. As you age, the body’s ability to divide cells and replace damaged or dead cells slows down. The only way this can be delayed is by consuming foods high in antioxidants.
What Foods Contain Antioxidants?
Various foods contain antioxidants. However, you need to consider foods that are high in antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables contain the largest amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants can be found in food sources, such as vitamin A, C, beta carotene, selenium, and zinc. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid. Carotenoids provide the color orange to various fruits and vegetables. These are the best for boosting immunity. Orange or yellow foods high in carotenoids are carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe. Apart from this, there are other vegetables and fruits high in antioxidants.
- Vegetables high in antioxidants – red pepper, green pepper, yellow pepper, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, beets, alfalfa sprouts, onions, eggplant, pumpkin, and carrot.
- Fruits high in antioxidants – berries – especially strawberries and blueberries, olives, oranges, grapes, peaches, grapefruits, apricots, kiwi fruit, guava, pomegranates, passion fruit, and plums.
- Beverages high in antioxidants – out of all beverages, green and black tea contain the highest antioxidant levels. According to sources, the antioxidant content in green and black tea surpasses antioxidant levels in any vegetables or fruits. Out of fresh juices, the highest antioxidant content can be found in grape juice.
- Other foods high in antioxidants – spices, herbs, cocoa, dried fruits, such as dates, pears, apples, raisins, figs, nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, and macadamia nuts.
Aging Well with Antioxidant-Rich Foods and a Healthy Lifestyle
No matter how many antioxidant-rich foods you consume, this will not be effective if your lifestyle is not conducive to aging well. Smoking, drinking excessively, late nights, too many sweets, and lack of exercise all contribute to aging your skin. Therefore, if you need healthy, young-looking skin and are set on fighting the aging process, you need to consider changing your lifestyle. This, in combination with a healthy diet, is all you need to delay the aging process.
No one really likes to see signs of aging manifesting on them. So, what can be done to arrest the appearance of aging signs? Consider a healthy diet, rich in antioxidant-rich foods, plenty of exercises, and a healthy lifestyle if you want to beat the fight with wrinkles.
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