When scientists and wellness experts talk about ageing, they’re referring to damage to your macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs, which causes your body to degenerate. Foods that are dubbed “anti-ageing” do one of three things to improve your wellbeing; keep replacing your damaged tissues with healthy ones, help in the molecular repair of your degenerated cells and tissues, or reduce the number of free radicals in your body. This last one, also known as anti-oxidation, prevents subsequent damage to your cell DNA.
So that’s what we mean by anti-ageing foods, but which ones are we talking about? Firstly, whole grains are high in fibre, which means they lower your levels of cholesterol and toxins, which cause ageing. Whole grain cereals are also rich in B-complex vitamins, which means that they prevent any DNA abnormalities and help to maintain healthy metabolic functions in your body. While you’re eating your whole grain cereal, don’t forget the milk! Milk and milk products are packed with protein which prevents your skin from wrinkling and sagging.
Beans are also rich in protein, as well as being low in fat. As an added bonus, beans and legumes also contain anthocyanin and isoflavones, which are a superb combo of anti-ageing agents. For the best anti-ageing beans and legumes, opt for soybeans, kidney beans and chickpeas, but avoid cooking or microwaving them as this reduces their nutritional value. Next, leafy vegetables are a good source of vitamin K, which works to protect your endothelial function and circulation, which keeps your heart healthy. Dark, leafy vegetables also keep your cells healthy and repair your DNA damage due to their folic acid content, and this helps your to guard your wellbeing against brain and liver degeneration, as well as cancer.
Finally, if you want to keep fatigue, muscle weakness, heart failure and neurological disorders at bay, try cruciferous vegetables. Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli ensure that your cells have the energy they need and battle against inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of ageing. Cruciferous vegetables maintain optimal calcium concentration in your brain, heart valves and walls of arteries, which prevents arteriosclerosis, and the levels of sulphur in these vegetables helps to fight and clear toxins.