Food is one of the fuels that sustains existence, not just for humans but plants and animals. Do you know how fueling your car with the wrong type of fuel or adulterated fuel can knock down a car engine? The same thing applies to our body and the type of food we eat in connection to other factors that combine to make the body work optimally.
The right type of food releases the adequate amount of nutrients the body needs to survive, be healthy and look youthful. On the flip side, eating wrong will put your hunger pangs to rest but not necessarily work well with other components of your body to ensure maximum functioning. Eating wrong can trigger reactions in the body that present themselves as allergies, weight gain or loss, rapid ageing and serious health conditions.
In your fitness journey, you must stir clear of certain foods that make you heavy, increase oil production on the skin, cause breakouts, enhance wrinkles and put a strain on vital organs. You should be intentional about your feeding because therein lies the secrete to staying younger and healthy.
There is a list of foods for you to pick from and start your journey to youthfulness.
Whole grains
Now is the time to replace refined grains like white bread with whole grains to get a head start at maintaining a youthful look. The reason is that refined grain which is largely carbohydrate converts sugar to glucose causing a spike in sugar levels and a weakening of the collagen and other wrinkle-fighting proteins.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are tubers rich in a disease-fighting compound called carotenoids. The carotenoid is the component responsible for giving plants their colours and most plants with orange and red colours have almost as high carotenoids as that sweet potatoes. The carotenoid is known for fighting disease in the body and giving a sun-kissed glowing effect on the skin.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit does not get as much credit as it deserves for strengthening the bones as milk does because of its calcium content. Research has shown that taking juiced grapefruit or eating it whole regularly can improve bone density and prevent age-related bone weakness and illness.
Cheddar Cheese
An interesting finding about cheddar cheese is that it keeps the mouth’s pH levels in check. It was observed that people who didn’t brush their teeth for 48 hours, had fresh breaths like those of brushing their teeth after chewing cheddar cheese. With the acidity level in check, issues of discolouration of the teeth and cavities are put at bay so you can enjoy flashing radiant smiles.
Detox water
The body easily loses its lush and moisture with every passing day of poor eating habits. For instance, consuming alcohol, salty foods, prolonged exposure to the sun and dehydration can cause inflammation of the skin, breakouts, discolouration and excessive dryness. To combat damage to the body, you must replace these bad habits with intentional ones like drinking detox water regularly. Simple detox water is water and slices of citrus to improve flavour and importantly help the liver flush down toxins with the aid of the delimonene compound present incitrus.
Spinach
Spinach has top-tier nutritional value and should be eaten at least every day. It will be surprising if you don’t include spinach in your daily diet after knowing it is a muscle builder, rich in plant-based omega-3s and folate. The components of spinach reduce the risk of heart-related diseases, stroke and osteoporosis, all illnesses that normally set in with advanced age.
Sardines
Sardines have a high source of calcium just like dairy products and is highly recommended for preventing osteoporosis and managing it. Eating sardines, especially the bones, ensure the body enjoys the full benefits of calcium. Take care of your bones and they will serve you well enough by slowing the effect of growing older.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes like other deep-coloured vegetables and fruits have a high presence of carotenoids and antioxidants that help the body fight off disease and provides protection for the skin against UV ray. While fighting off disease, the carotenoids also combat oxidation that ages skin cells and boosts collagen production to make the skin glow.
Walnuts
Walnut has 40% statistics for reducing the risk of heart-related conditions according to
researchers. In fact, it is advised that you eat walnuts at least 5 times a week to minimize any possibility of cardiovascular diseases.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a dairy drink produced through fermentation and rich in millions of healthy bacteria called probiotics. Probiotics help boost the immune system which in turn aids the body in fighting diseases like cancer. Also, rich calcium is one of the benefits of yoghurt in the body and so the bone and immune system are protected with regular yoghurt consumption.
Carrots
Eating carrots every day can reduce the risk of cancers and inflammatory conditions like
rheumatoid arthritis. Carrots have a component called carotenoid that is present in coloured vegetables and fruits and helps to fight disease in the body.
Rooibos Tea
Stress is one of the primary reasons people look older than they ought to. It can cause wrinkles and reduce your energy levels. If you do not get enough rest and sleep, chances are that you will fall ill which can accelerate the ageing process.
In addition to adequate rest, you can take a cup of rooibos tea, which has properties to reduce signs of ageing. The tea contains a flavonoid named Aspalathin which is known to reduce stress hormones produced by the body.
When the body is stressed, it can trigger fat storage, hunger, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and diabetes.
Whole Grains
Whole grain meals are healthier than refined grain meals. You will look slimmer, graceful and youthful if you cut down on refined grain meals. Refined grains are known the increase the blood sugar level, which can cause the formation of wrinkles.
The body converts refined carbs like bread, pasta and others to glucose, a nutrient that is known to always damage collagen and the proteins that fight wrinkles.
Coffee
Coffee is a rich tea because it enhances the skin, boosts energy levels, supports brain health, could also protect against liver conditions, supports heart health, increase longevity and protect against chronic disease. Coffee has so many benefits which nobody should miss out on. The fact that coffee boosts your energy levels can make you appear youthful.
Strawberries
Strawberries have been shown to slow down the progression of ageing because of their copious polyphenols. Strawberries are beneficial in maintaining mitochondrial function, which helps you to stay sharp and youthful.
Blackberries
Blackberry is an antioxidant-rich fruit that should be added to your daily diet. It's proven that the polyphenol antioxidants in blackberries reduce damage from free radicals in your body and also help to speed up the healing process.
Almond
It is known scientifically as prunus Dulcis. Almond enhances the skin by making it glow more than exfoliators. Almond is rich in vitamins, and healthy fat that will make you glow from the inside out. Prunus dulcis (Almond) contains a lot of important vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, fibre and calories. When eaten conservatively, they regulate blood sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure
Almond is great for hair, dental care and the skin. Make Almond one of your diets today and confirm all these wonderful health benefits it gives.
Carrots
Carrots are rich in carotenoids. A pigment that slows the presence of ageing agents. Carotenoid consumption is linked to increased collagen that is needed for health, and nourishment of the skin to keep your complexion glowing always. Hence, eat a lot of carrots today and see all the nutritious and healthy benefits on your body.
Kale
Kale is packed with vitamins C and K, potassium, calcium, and a wide range of other nutrients that can help prevent various health problems. A study has shown that kale is helpful in strengthening bones and skin. The vitamin helps in discolouration.
In addition, potassium is useful in strengthening the bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
