5 Anti-Aging Foods to Support Your 40s and Beyond Body

Glowing skin starts with how we eat, but these anti-aging foods can also help with more than that.

When we pack our diet with vibrant foods loaded with antioxidants, healthy fats, water, and essential nutrients, our body will show its appreciation through its largest organ: our skin. After all, the skin is often the first part of our body to show internal trouble, and there’s only so much that lotions, creams, masks, and serums can do before we need to take a closer look at what’s fuelling us.

Researchers have even concluded that eating fruits and veggies is the safest and healthiest way to combat dull complexions and fine lines. Ready to glow? Here are 10 of the best anti-aging foods to nourish your body for a glow that comes from within.

1. Red bell pepper

Red bell peppers are loaded with antioxidants which reign supreme when it comes to anti-aging. In addition to their high content of vitamin C — which is good for collagen production — red bell peppers contain powerful antioxidants called carotenoids.

Carotenoids are plant pigments responsible for the bright red, yellow, and orange colors you see in many fruits and vegetables. They have a variety of anti-inflammatory properties and may help protect skin from sun damage, pollution, and environmental toxins.

To try: Slice bell peppers and dip them in hummus as a snack, add them into a raw salad, or cook them up in a stir-fry.

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as an age-defying antioxidant called anthocyanin. This is what gives blueberries their deep, beautiful blue color.

These powerful antioxidants may help protect skin from damage due to the sun, stress, and pollution by moderating the inflammatory response and preventing collagen loss.

To try: Throw this delicious, low-sugar fruit into a morning smoothie or fruit bowl, and let it provide a beautifying punch!

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging powerhouse packed with:

• vitamins C and K
• a variety of antioxidants
• fiber
• folate
• lutein
• calcium

Your body needs vitamin C for the production of collagen, the main protein in skin that gives it strength and elasticity.

To try: You can eat broccoli raw for a quick snack, but if you have the time, gently steam before eating. From charred bites to pesto sauces, cooking broccoli actually helps release more health benefits for your body.

4. Nuts

Many nuts (especially almonds) are a great source of vitamin E, which may help repair skin tissue, retain skin moisture, and protect skin from damaging UV rays. Walnuts even contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that may help:

• strengthen skin cell membranes
• protect against sun damage
• give skin a beautiful glow by preserving its natural oil barrier

To try: Sprinkle a mix of nuts on top of your salads, or eat a handful as a snack. Don’t remove the skin, either, as studies show that 50 percent or more of the antioxidants are lost without the skin.

EATING NUTS IS LINKED TO:

• reduced risk for heart disease (walnuts) and type 2 diabetes (pistachios)
•potential prevention of cognitive decline in older adults (almonds)

5. Pomegranate seeds

Pomegranates have been used for centuries as a healing medicinal fruit. High in vitamin C and a variety of potent antioxidants, pomegranates may protect our body from free radical damage and reduce levels of inflammation in our system.

These healthy fruits also contain a compound called punicalagins, which may help to preserve collagen in the skin, slowing signs of aging.

To try: Sprinkle these sweet little jewels onto a baby spinach walnut salad for an anti-aging treat!

OTHER YOUTHFUL BENEFITS

Research has also shown that a compound called urolithin A, which is produced when pomegranates interact with gut bacteria, may rejuvenate mitochondria. It was even seen to reverse muscle aging in rat studies.

Source: HERE