You have all seen the ads to eat your way slim or eat your way to a better body. However, what about eating right now not just for the benefits of having a better body in the moment. What about eating better now so that you can have and be a better you in your future.
That is right. What you put into your mouth now can equate to how you age. Scientific studies are showing more and more that what you eat has a positive effect on your body in many ways:
- Your cardiovascular system
- Your muscles and joints
- Your brain
- Your eyesight and so much more
Healthy Eating, Healthy Aging
1. Eating Right and the Impact on Your Brain
You are probably all too familiar with the benefits of eating right. It is on every commercial, every magazine article, and just about every product you purchase at the market. However, did you know that fueling your brain with the right foods could decelerate the aging process?
Certain foods such as healthy fats are excellent sources for optimal brain functioning:
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Fish
- Avocados
- Omega 3 fatty acids (excellent anti-inflammatory properties)
2. Eating Right Aids with Cardiovascular Disease
Millions of individuals over the age of 60 are suffering from cardiovascular disease. Sometimes cardiovascular disease is due to genes and other times it is due to poor lifestyle choices.
Eating a Mediterranean-based diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and olive oil, with minimal or no red meat along with nuts and grains can decelerate the risk of heart disease.
There are several factors contributing to heart disease:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Poor eating habits
It makes sense to eat right while you are younger in order to avoid heart disease as you age.
3. Eating Right and Avoiding Arthritis
If someone told you what and how you eat now will aid you in your aging years, you would probably be more inclined to follow up with this idea. Osteoarthritis is one of the more common types of inflammation from which the aging population suffers.
Recent studies have shown that herbs such as ground ginger may be effective in reducing inflammation.
Eating more fruits and vegetables (especially organic), including spinach, kale, citrus, and even garlic are all said to reduce the implications of arthritis. Reducing sugar and eating raw nuts along with staying hydrated aid in reducing inflammatory processes as well.
So, as you can see eating right most definitely can help you to age gracefully.
You can start eating healthier today. Drink an extra glass of water, and eat an extra vegetable everyday. When that becomes a habit, add more water and more veggies to your day. The great thing about what you eat is that you have control over what goes into your body, so you can decide, at any time, that you want to eat healthier!
