Sadly, it’s impossible to live forever. I know, RIP us all.
But while none of us will ever see in the third millennium or witness our great great great great grandkids say their first words, it is at least possible to slow down the ageing process so that we reach the finish line looking better than we would otherwise.
In the quest for longevity, there are certainly no miracle cures, nor is there such a thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. But there are numerous foods that do battle with the ageing process – and usually win.
As well as ageing, cancer is a dreadful disease that can end a life prematurely. Like ageing, there are no miracle cures for cancer, but there are changes you can make to your diet that can reduce your risk of developing The Big C.
In celebration of healthy living, let’s take a look at 10 foods that fight ageing and cancer.
Garlic
Dieticians and health experts recommend that you eat garlic every single day. This is easier than you might think because garlic can be tossed into many dishes, from salads to soups, curries to casseroles.
The benefits are massive: Those who eat more garlic reduce their risk of developing numerous cancers, including colon and stomach. Experts have not agreed on much you need to eat to minimise the risk, but the general advice is at least one clove per day.
Avocado
Whenever anyone stops eating meat and turns vegetarian or vegan, one of the first foods they tend to try is the humble avocado – and with good reason.
Not only does the avocado taste like heaven, but it also comes with numerous health benefits and can slow down the ageing process.
It’s rich in fat – but the good kind! The fat from this vegetable helps to protect your cells from ruin from nasty free radicals, the villains which are responsible for speeding up the ageing process. Eat more avocados and you can improve the texture and elasticity of your skin.
Berries
Berries! Any kind of berries will work in your quest to slow down the ageing process, but perhaps the most kick-ass are blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.
Berries are crammed with powerful antioxidants that boost cell health and guard against disease which can leave you looking far from your best. The antioxidants found in blackberries have even been found to reduce your risk of certain types of cancer.
If it’s anti=ageing benefits you’re looking for, the darker berries are your best bet due to their higher volume of antioxidants.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a herb with a warm flavour that isn’t dissimilar to pepper, and it may just be the healthiest food you’ve yet to use in your diet.
One of the great things about turmeric is that it can be easily added to so many dishes, from curries to soups. Not too sweet and spicy, it adds a kick to your meals.
Even better, it can help to fight both cancer and ageing. Thanks to the compounds that are responsible for its exotic pigmentation, it can protect your skin cells from damage by those pesky free radicals.
Add to at least three meals per week and you’ll be loving life.
Dark Chocolate
We all say that chocolate is our guilty pleasure, but if you want to continue looking fab for as long as possible, dark chocolate should become more than something you only reach for when you’re feeling naughty.
Thanks to its high cocoa content, dark chocolate can guard against damage inflicted on your skin by the sun’s powerful UV rays. Just a few squares are absolutely loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and boost circulation.
Don’t go overboard – just 2 squares per day will be enough.
Green Juice
If you already juice, congrats. If you don’t, buying yourself a juicer could be the best investment you ever make.
Let’s face it, we’re all champions of the world when it comes to stuffing ourselves with carbs and protein. But when it comes to the micronutrients, such as iron and zinc, many of us are left wanting.
Usually because we dislike whole fruits.
Juicing means your body gets to soak up a raft of vitamins and minerals without you having to put yourself through the rigour of actually eating the fruit and veg whole.
If you want to combat ageing and cancer, green juice the way forward.
Arctic Char
Arctic Char comes with similar benefits to salmon, which is why it makes for a great meat substitute for anyone who doesn’t eat fish.
Farm in environmentally sustainable conditions, arctic char is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which prevent an certain key enzyme in your body from developing wrinkles.
It is also rich in carotenoids that you also find in carrots, and which protect your skin cells from damage by the sun.
Not only this, but it can also boost your mental awareness and reduce brain fog.
Beans
According to the popular ditty, beans are good for your heart. But according to the same number, they’re also bad for your digestive tract.
However, it’s recommended that you add beans to your weekly shopping list because, despite their bad reputation for causing excess gas, they’re absolutely stuffed with life-preserving minerals and vitamins, including potassium and iron. This means they can protect against cancer, as well as slow down the ageing process.
Hijiki
Hijiki is available in most sushi bars, but it might be one appetiser you’ve so far ignored. If so, it’s time to start adding it to your orders.
Why? Because this vegetable found in the black sea is loaded in iodine, an essential nutrient that promotes the synthesis of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone. Its role? It boosts your metabolism.
Not just this, but hijiki also better regulates your hormones and aids with liver detoxification, thereby slowing down the ageing process.
Tomatoes
Research has shown that tomatoes can reduce the risk of prostrate cancer in men. Tomatoes help by protecting the DNA in your cells from attacks by free radicals that can eventually lead to cancer’s developing.
Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, a potent antioxidant that can also minimise the risk of certain cancers. Experts suggest that our body’s absorb this antioxidant better from tomato-based sauces – such as tinned tomatoes.
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