11 Youth Rejuvenating Foods

 I like to look youthful and healthy. Who doesn't? To do that - I prefer to eat food that helps me maintain my appearance and have decided to share with you my knowledge of the culinary fountain of youth:

1. Berries contain many antioxidants that help heal your skin and protect it from free radicals that cause it to age as well as protect it from UV light. Berries are also a good source for silica which helps maintain your skin tissues and elasticity. Researchers found that rats that had blueberries and strawberries as a regular part of their diet suffered a reduced amount of toxic cells in the brain.

Free Bonus: Healthy Berries Popsicle recipe

2. Nuts & olive oil contain healthy fats – this helps protect you from cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attacks. Harvard researchers found that people who had an extra ounce of mixed nuts every day or an extra liter of extra-virgin olive oil every week - had fewer strokes and heart attacks. Olive oil and nuts are easily added to your diet, just make sure you don’t overdo it.

3. Sweet Potatoes help keep your skin firm. They are rich with Carotene (which gives them their orange color) Vitamins C and B6, as well as fiber, other antioxidants and copper (which help your body produce Collagen, the stuff that keeps your skin firm and youthful). Here’s a great recipe for baked sweet potato fries.

4. WINE! (In moderation, that is) A glass of red wine a day will help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and may even help prevent cancer and treat Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Antioxidants in the skin of red grapes prevent tumor development and helps with the creation of new nerve cells while other antioxidants in the seeds reduce “bad cholesterol” (LDL). If you’re not a huge fan of red wine, just eat red grapes instead!

5. Milk is a great source of Vitamin D and is highly recommended if you don’t get enough sun during the day. Vitamin D helps to keep our cells’ DNA in good condition, slowing down aging. 

6. Curry Powder can help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. It contains Curcumin which has been proven to lower toxicity in brain cells. In India, Curry has been used for years to treat a variety of diseases and even hemorrhoids! How about a great curried chickpeas recipe? 

7. Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and various B Vitamins. The fiber and proteins will improve the health of your heart, and Vitamin B helps your skin by reducing inflammations. Try avoiding re-fried beans, though, they’re very fatty. Instead, try this great recipe for Huevos Rancheros. 

8. Spinach is full of iron, vitamin K, lutein and zeaxanthin. Iron boosts your energy levels and helps build your muscles while Vitamin K helps with bone density, which prevents fractures and osteoporosis. Lutein and zeaxanthin protect your retinas from damaging light so it won’t hurt your vision. They also lower the risk of chronic eye diseases (cataracts and age-related macular degeneration).
Eat it raw or cooked, and, if you want to get the full benefits of Vitamin K, eat it with some olive oil or cheese.

9. Packed with important nutrients like vitamin B, fiber, and protein, Oats are great for your skin, hair, and nails, as well as nourish your nervous system. The fiber they contain helps the digestive system, and the protein keeps your energy levels elevated. Avoid instant oats with sugar, though, and instead, make overnight oats. 

10. Rich in Omega 3 but cheaper than Salmon – Sardines and Anchovies help slow the deterioration of your brain with age. The best Sardines and Anchovies you can get come from the Pacific Ocean and Adriatic Sea - respectively – are richer in Omega 3 and have much lower levels of Mercury.

11. Chocolate! Well, actually, the Cocoa in the chocolate. It can prevent diabetes and cancer and lower your risk of heart diseases. There is a catch though – while pure cocoa is great, it’s very bitter, so chocolatiers add milk and sugar to the mix and dilute the cocoa quantities, meaning that not all chocolate is good for you. Go for the kinds that have 75% cocoa (or more).

And now, to sate your sweet tooth, why not make raw cocoa, nut, and berry truffles?