Foods That Keep Us Young
November 26th, 2009
Lauren S Johnson asked:
Aging is a part of life. As we get older, the effects of aging are physically and mentally visible. Since we can’t really stop the years from coming and going, is there anything that we can do to help us feel and perform as well as we did when we were younger and healthier? Surprisingly, there are several foods which aid in healthy maturity.
One food which aids in healthy aging is olive oil. Researchers found that people from the Greek island of Crete, decades ago, had extremely low rates of heart disease. The reason for this was their consumption of olive oil. This particular food is rich in monosaturated fats and in polyphenols which protect the body from heart disease and other age related illnesses. Another healthy meal alternative is fish. Fish is also beneficial when it comes down to heart heath. The omega 3 fats which are present in these creatures prevent cholesterol buildup, prevent abnormal heart rhythm, and other heart related diseases. When researchers studied the native Inuit’s of Alaska, who feed mostly on fish, they found that their community was free of heart disease. This certainly intensifies the belief that omega 3 fats are beneficial for healthy aging.
The third food which keeps us young is blueberries. It has been said that this particular fruit aids in protecting our balance and our coordination as we get older. There are certain compounds in blueberries which lessen inflammation and oxidative damage. Oxidative damage is mostly associated with age related deficits in memory and in motor function. Therefore, by consuming blueberries we improve our memory, our reaction time, our balance, and our coordination. All of these foods, olive oil, fish, and blueberries aid in healthy aging. They not only help us feel better mentally but they also reduce our chances of developing serious illnesses.
Aging is a part of life. As we get older, the effects of aging are physically and mentally visible. Since we can’t really stop the years from coming and going, is there anything that we can do to help us feel and perform as well as we did when we were younger and healthier? Surprisingly, there are several foods which aid in healthy maturity.
One food which aids in healthy aging is olive oil. Researchers found that people from the Greek island of Crete, decades ago, had extremely low rates of heart disease. The reason for this was their consumption of olive oil. This particular food is rich in monosaturated fats and in polyphenols which protect the body from heart disease and other age related illnesses. Another healthy meal alternative is fish. Fish is also beneficial when it comes down to heart heath. The omega 3 fats which are present in these creatures prevent cholesterol buildup, prevent abnormal heart rhythm, and other heart related diseases. When researchers studied the native Inuit’s of Alaska, who feed mostly on fish, they found that their community was free of heart disease. This certainly intensifies the belief that omega 3 fats are beneficial for healthy aging.
The third food which keeps us young is blueberries. It has been said that this particular fruit aids in protecting our balance and our coordination as we get older. There are certain compounds in blueberries which lessen inflammation and oxidative damage. Oxidative damage is mostly associated with age related deficits in memory and in motor function. Therefore, by consuming blueberries we improve our memory, our reaction time, our balance, and our coordination. All of these foods, olive oil, fish, and blueberries aid in healthy aging. They not only help us feel better mentally but they also reduce our chances of developing serious illnesses.