8 Super Foods To Keep You Active and Young !

There is absolutely no magic pill to stop your body from aging.  However, a balanced diet consisting of these super foods will keep yo active, energetic and feeling young irrespective of the birthday you are celebrating.

1. Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi) ~ To Keep Your Heart Young and Agile 

A rich source of Potassium with small amounts of Sodium, Sweet Potato helps in regulating heartbeat and nerve signals. Having high percentage of vitamin B6, it helps in reducing the chemical homocysteine in our body. Homocysteine is linked to heart attacks. It is also a rich source of Vitamin D, which is not just significant for immune system but also in building healthy heart, bones, nerves, teeth and skin. What’s more, since it is a good source of Magnesium it acts as a anti-stress food and helps in relaxation. Magnesium is vital for healthy blood, heart, bone, muscle, and nerve function

2. Holy Mackerel (Bangda) ~ For Stamina, and to Increase Your Energy Levels

You can only feel healthy, energetic and active if you have adequate amount of stamina. Now, stamina is obtained from foods that are rich in Vitamin B12 as Vitamin B12 produces energy and also manufactures red blood cells. Mackerel is a rich source of Vitamin B12 along with Vitamins such as Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Folate, Choline, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and K. 

Vitamin B12 is only available in meats, fish, and eggs. Vegetarians, however, can have skimmed milk or fortified breakfast cereals. Besides, Mackerel is equally good for your blood, it helps in weight loss, lowers bad cholesterol and strengthens the immune system.

3. Flax Seeds/ Pumpkin Seeds ~ To Boost Your Brain and Memory Skills

For healthy brain, it is very necessary that we consume foods that are rich in Omega 3. Since, our body doesn’t manufacture Omega 3 and we get only through the food we eat, it becomes imperative that we consume a food that is very rich in Omega 3. 

This is why Flax Seeds, the smart food with maximum percentage of Omega 3, is so important. Eat it either as a snack or add it in your yogurt, milk shakes, and other tasty delicacies which you like to eat on regular basis.

4. Red Wine ~ To Make You Look Young and Beautiful

It’s a glass of red wine a day for women and two for men, according to Richard A. Baxter, MD, a plastic surgeon in Seattle and the author of Age Gets Better with Wine. The mechanism is the antioxidants in red wine. Antioxidants sop up damaging free radicals that play a role in aging and age-related diseases. There is a much higher concentration of antioxidants (polyphenols) including resveratrol, in wine compared to grape juice.

In wine, the skin and seeds are part of the fermenting process, but both are removed when making grape juice. “A glass a day and your skin will glow. As antiaging advice, this is as good as it gets.” says Mr. Baxter. Drinking more than recommended can have the opposite effect on your appearance and health, he further adds.

5. Spinach ~ To Supply Adequate Fuel To Your Body (Yes, Popeye Is Right!)

The cells of the Immune system divide more swiftly than most of the cells, and so they are always in need of repair and maintenance. The entire activity requires energy reserves, and Coenzyme Q10 is a vital co–factor in our energy–production pathways. Spinach, being a rich source of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)  generate energy to fuel body and helps our liver, pancreas, kidney and heart for a healthy immune system.

6. Turmeric ~ To Keep Your Joints as Flexible As Possible

Curcumin, an active compound in Indian spice Turmeric has strong antioxidant properties. The key element not just helps in promoting cellular division, especially in GI tract but also supports healthy immune response,  liver detoxification, and joint flexibility – which are very necessary to keep you young and vigorous as you age. Moreover, curcumin also acts as an antioxidant by inhibiting the working of inflammatory enzymes.

7. Tomatoes ~ To Protect Your Skin From Damages

Tomatoes provide the best defence to keep your skin young and safe from sun damage, claims scientists. The age-defying ingredient is Lycopene – the natural pigment that makes tomatoes red. A powerful antioxidant, Lycopene can reduce the inflammatory response to UV damage by neutralising harmful molecules that are produced in the skin as a result. Sun damage from UV exposure includes premature wrinkles and skin cancer.

The highest levels of lycopene are found in processed tomatoes used in ketchup, soup and juice which are more easily absorbed into the body. (Source) In addition, tomatoes contain Alpha Lipoic Acid, a strong anti oxidant that helps in nerve function, and keeping your vision in check.

8. Guava ~ For Your Eyes & Skin

Guavas are very good source of vitamin A, a key ingredient for good eyesight. Eating it in the season can help slow down the appearance of  macular degeneration, cataract and help in boasting the overall health of your eyes. Guava not just prevents degradation of eyesight, but also improves vision of the eyes.