Five anti-ageing superfoods

Ageing is something that is inevitable. We wonder what we may look like in years to come and cringe at the first sign of wrinkles. Some of us even resort to creams, soaps and serums that are believed to slow down the ageing process – anything, just to stay forever young! Research however shows that what you feed your body with could be an important factor in your ageing process and hellofood.com has gathered a list of certain foods which could be referred to as the cream of the healthy food crops because they possess qualities that have proved to help one look younger and stay healthy.

Sweet potatoes

This dish contains an important flavonoid compound, beta-carotene, a pigment which gives these tubers their colour, balances the skin’s pH, helps combat dryness, and promotes cell turnover, all resulting in smoother skin.

Fish

It contains astaxanthin, a pigment that makes the fish pink and is a powerful foe of free radicals, rogue molecules that damage cell membranes and DNA and cause skin to age. Studies show that eating one serving every five days can prevent ugly rough patches that are precancerous.

Tomatoes

Contain lypocene, which gives the food its red pigment.  Lypocene is a potent antioxidant that shields skin from sun damage; it acts like sunscreen, but from the inside out. To best absorb lypocene, eat tomatoes with olive oil.

Citrus foods

Such foods as oranges contain Vitamin C which is essential to building collagen, a vital component of young-looking skin, which starts breaking down in your 20s. Citrus also contains bioflavonoids, which protects the skin from ultraviolet rays and helps prevent cell death.

Leafy greens

Spinach and ugwu contain healthy quantities of antioxidants and immunity-boosting compounds which protect the skin from sun-induced inflammation and wrinkles.

Source: Nkem.Onwudiwe@hellofood.com.ng