Which Foods Keep The Body Young And Healthy?
Author: Victoria Aly
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Antioxidants found in many healthy foods protect the body from premature aging and free radical damage.
Human health is directly dependent on the diet to which the body is subjected. Even the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle stated that food must be medicine and medicine must be food. Adherence to a diet with nutritious, fresh and clean foods, the supply of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats is the basis for human health, lack of fatigue and good mood.
Unhealthy foods, synthetic additives and sweeteners, tobacco smoke, alcohol and a number of other environmental factors lead to free radical damage to almost all cells in the body. Free radicals are all atoms, molecules or ions that contain an unpaired electron in its outermost electron shell. It makes them highly reactive and allows them to enter into chemical interactions with almost any biological structure with which they come into contact. These interactions damage the structure and function of biological structures, leading to damage and premature aging of cells, tissues, organs and systems in the body.
Free radicals are a product of metabolism or are absorbed by poor quality food, contaminated water, air and more. The only way to counteract them is through regular intake of antioxidants - substances that come into contact with radicals and neutralize them . This not only ensures the better functioning of the tissues and protects them from aging, but has also been proven to alleviate a number of inflammatory processes and improve the function of the immune system .
Among the most powerful plant antioxidants suitable for human consumption are flavonoids . The flavonoid class of anthocyanins is the easiest to recognize - it gives blue, red and purple colors to fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, goji berries and raspberries.
Grapes also contain a powerful antioxidant known as resveratrol . Also found in grape wine, this antioxidant has proven properties to prolong life.
Among the antioxidants found in chocolate, polyphenols predominate . The darker the chocolate, the richer it is in these beneficial compounds. It is advisable to avoid milk chocolates and choose those containing at least 60% cocoa.
Green leafy vegetables are among the most antioxidant-rich plants, especially isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol . As with chocolate, the rule "the darker, the healthier" applies to them. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are the healthiest, but lettuce should not be forgotten.
Unsaturated fats should not be avoided either . Saturated can raise blood cholesterol and predispose to cardiovascular disease, but unsaturated do not carry this danger. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats maintain cardiovascular health and are found in fish, avocados, flaxseeds, nuts and more.
The most important point, which is often not mentioned in popular diets, is water intake . Even a slight lack of fluids can lead to gastrointestinal, liver and kidney dysfunction , which makes proper nutrition meaningless and makes it difficult to cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals. The amount of water needed each day strongly depends on the level of physical activity, diet and temperature amplitudes, but should not fall below 1 liter per day.
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