Wellness experts can’t seem to shut up about the numerous ways that the Mediterranean Diet can improve your wellbeing – and with good reason. Not only can the Mediterranean Diet enhance your heart health and give you a weight loss plan that you can actually stick with, but it seems that snacking like the Spanish and giving your intake an Italian injection can do wonders for your anti-ageing wellness. So which Mediterranean foods are essential to keep you looking and feeling young?
Whole grains – Because whole grains are rich in fibres, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they are excellent little soldiers in the battle against age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, whole grains aren’t just a very effective part of an anti-ageing plan; they’re also beneficial to your waistline as you digest them more slowly than processed grains. So try swapping your white sliced loaf and processed pasta for wild and brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat, rye and bulgar.
Olive Oil – Olive oil is a staple part of the Mediterranean diet and it’s not hard to see why; aside from providing a great dip, salad drizzle and frying ingredient, olive oil has monumental benefits to your anti-ageing programme. This is because olive oil contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases. The monounsaturated fats found in olive oil reduce your risk of heart diseases, and if you go extra virgin with your oil choice you’ll also have the benefits of high concentrations of natural antioxidants such as vitamin A and E. These aid in skin repair and renewal, and so help you to stay looking young and fresh.
Fish – As an abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids, fish helps prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries and protects you against abnormal heart rhythms. According to several studies, if you eat a diet rich in fish – as they do in the Mediterranean – you are less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and will have a greater longevity. Likewise, nuts are a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids that help regulate your cholesterol and may improve your brain functioning, plus they are packed with antioxidants.
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