The quest for youth has been the eternal challenge for the aging populations of the world. From what we have learned we know that both health and beauty stem from lifestyle and nutrition choices we make every day. Here is some scientific research based information on 7 key food groups that do in fact preserve the health and beauty of the people who make them a staple of their diets.
Olive Oil Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete. Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases. Yogurt In the 1970s, Soviet Georgia was rumored to have more centenarians per capita than any other country. Reports at the time claimed that the secret of their long lives was yogurt, a food ubiquitous in their diets. While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis and contains "good bacteria" that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness. Fish Thirty years ago, researchers began to study why the native Inuits of Alaska were remarkably free of heart disease. The reason, scientists now think, is the extraordinary amount of fish they consume. Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which help prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries and protect against abnormal heart rhythms. Chocolate The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia. Nuts Studies of Seventh-Day Adventists (a religious denomination that emphasizes healthy living and a vegetarian diet) show that those who eat nuts gain, on average, an extra two and a half years. Nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to those associated with olive oil. They're also concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants. Wine Drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss. Any kind of alcoholic beverage seems to provide such benefits, but red wine has been the focus of much of the research. Red wine contains resveratrol, a compound that likely contributes to its benefits?and, according to animal studies, may activate genes that slow cellular aging. Blueberries In a landmark study published in 1999, researchers at Tufts University's Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging fed rats blueberry extract for a period of time that in "rat lives" is equivalent to 10 human years. These rats outperformed rats fed regular chow on tests of balance and coordination when they reached old age. Compounds in blueberries (and other berries) mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage, which are associated with age-related deficits in memory and motor function.
Our immune system is one of the most important parts of our body, and it’s also one of the most interesting. It creates antibodies in response to whatever type of illness or disease is attempting to attack our bodies, including viruses, bacteria, and even cancer. It checks over any tiny little organism that enters our bodies and destroys it if necessary. But there are times when our immune system can be depleted or weakened, especially if it is constantly under attack. There are a number of ways to boost the immune system, but one of the most natural and easiest is to eat the right kinds of foods.
Yes, there are actually foods out there that will help our body fight off disease. This concept has been used for centuries in home remedies. Think of the old belief that chicken soup can help cure a cold. Well, you might be surprised to learn that it’s more than just a superstition! There are a number of diets out there that people claim are the absolute best in boosting the immune system. Some focus on meat, while others say to avoid animal products. However, while these diets may or may not work, there are some foods that everyone agrees are healthy. Here are three that you may not think of right away.
Cinnamon is full of antioxidants that can be helpful in a number of ways. The most common type of cinnamon is generally used in desserts, but it can be added to a number of foods like rice or oatmeal. In addition to helping the immune system, cinnamon can help you lose weight, improve your circulation, reduce cholesterol, and help improve the overall health of those with type 2 diabetes.
Pumpkins are great in pies, but they’re also great for your health. This fruit (yes, pumpkins are technically a fruit) contains zinc, and studies have shown that zinc can help fight off the common cold or, if you already have a cold, can help you get over it more quickly and reduce the symptoms. Pumpkin seeds contain high amounts of iron, magnesium, protein, potassium, and even copper. Most people don’t think of pumpkin seeds as something you want to eat or as something that would contain a lot of protein, but they do. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids like fish.
Finally, the last “secret" food that will help your immune system is garlic. Garlic is an old remedy that has been used for many things, including treating the flu, the cold, and pneumonia. Many home remedies involve garlic, including toothache cures. Garlic has also been shown to help improve how the body uses Vitamin C.
These three foods are not the only foods that will help boost your immune system, but they are foods that you might not eat on a regular basis. Adding them to your diet can be very helpful and might even keep you from getting a cold!
Both Dana Desilva & Alex Gwen Thomson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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