Want to feel 10 years younger, in both body and mind? Here is the list to include in your grocery cart. Its worth, delicious
picks—all backed by science to keep you sharp, fit, and having fun :-)
The things many of us take for granted when we’re young—having sharp vision, bouncing back from illness, being able to skip down the block—don’t have to fade away entirely (even if you’d rather walk than skip!).
The foods we eat can have profound effects on how we move through the world, and can contribute to both longevity and quality of life along the way
The key is anti-inflammatory foods. “Chronic inflammation pushes your body’s organ systems to work extra hard to achieve normal functionality,”
explains Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., author of Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) and host of the podcast On the Side With Jackie
London, R.D. “All that extra work is what ultimately damages your cells over time and can increase risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, and cancer,” she adds.
So that’s the big picture, but what’s extra amazing about these types of food is that most of them have bonus benefits that
improve specific functions of your body, like vision, heart health, and joint movement.
Oh, and they’re really delicious, because what’s the point of feeling young if you can’t enjoy what gets you there?
FOR A SHARP BRAIN
BLUEBERRIES These tiny fruits are so packed with anthocyanins (antioxidants known
for giving blue-, red-, and purple-pigmented foods their color) that they’ve become the berry
of choice in brain research. “A growing body of scientific evidence is examining how blueberries
can support brain health as part of a healthy eating pattern, and recent studies suggest that they
may help ward off cognitive decline and improve cognition in older adults,” says Frances LargemanRoth, R.D.N., a nutrition expert and creator
of The Smoothie Plan, a new Prevention book.
WALNUTS It’s funny that this wrinkly nut resembles a brain, because it harbors a slew of
nutrients for your noggin. In one study, consuming walnuts helped adults perform better on cognitive
tests of memory and concentration, likely due to their polyphenols and polyunsaturated fat. Another
study found that women were less likely to have memory issues after
age 65 when they ate at least two servings of walnuts per week during
the prior decade or so.
FARRO Whole grains like farro, quinoa, and barley are rich in
B vitamins, which research suggests can help protect memory and may slow
the rate of cognitive decline.
Bonus:
B vitamins also help your body more
efficiently use all the other nutrients
you consume, London adds
For more, see this Shorts