These anti-aging foods will help you eat your way to a longer life expectancy. Add these delicious foods into your daily diet and you will be decreasing your risk for illnesses and age-related problems. Just pick one or two to add in each week.
Nuts
No matter which nut you choose — Brazil, cashew, macadamia —they’re all anti-aging heroes thanks to their cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects, says Julieanna Hever, a plant-based dietitian. Aim for one to two ounces each day, as they’re also fantastic sources of protein, fiber, and micronutrients.
Avocados
Just like the omega-3s found in salmon, avocados are jam-packed with the inflammation-fighting fatty acids that keep the immune system functioning properly. They also help both your mind and body age gracefully, so add the green fruit into your salads, top your toast, or use it to make a healthy pudding.
Pomegranate Seeds
Besides being wildly addictive in a froyo swirl, these tiny seeds also add a nice burst of sweetness to salads. “Pomegranate seeds contain compounds that fight damage from free radicals and increase your body’s ability to preserve collagen,” DeFazio says.
Olives
If you’re a fan of this briny fruit (yes, fruit), there’s no reason you shouldn’t eat it all the time. “Olives are an incredible source of polyphenols and other phytonutrients that help protect your DNA and keep you looking and feeling younger,” Moalem says. Just be sure to skip the canned kind, as the pitting process actually strips the olive of vital nutrients that you’re after.
Mushrooms
“Mushrooms are one of the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, a [nutrient that] most people don’t have enough of,” Lakatos and Lakatos Shames say. “Without [it], you can’t properly absorb calcium, which will lead to osteoporosis, broken bones, and a hunched spine — and nothing ages you more than that.”
Sweet Potato
If you’re tired of boring ole’ white potatoes, grab the orange kind instead. Because they’re full of vitamin A (that’s what gives ’em the orange hue), they help fight off fine lines and wrinkles by revitalizing damaged collagen. Keep things simple by baking it in the oven, then topping with veggies or chili.
