A to Z of youth superfoods

[Armaan]

Go through this alphabet of anti-ageing eats to stay young and lovely, longer

If we really are what we eat, wise food choices can lead to a healthier body, as well as boosting vitality and improving mental agility. There are some wonder-foods say nutritionists, that pack in vitamins, supernutrition and antioxidants that are essential to anti-ageing. The list is not meant to replace your diet, but to help ensure you always include them in your meals.

A for Avocado: It contains more potassium (helps lowers blood pressure) than bananas. It is rich in glutathione, which protects the body from toxins, helps neutralise bad fat and is an antioxidant that fights free-radical damage to cells that accompanies ageing.

B for Broccoli: It boosts the immune system and contains more calcium than any other vegetable. It also has properties that fight bone loss and cancer.

C for Carrot: Carrots lower cholesterol and their orange pigment boosts immune function. And they're really are good for eyesight — the betacarotene in them protects eyes from diseases that occur with ageing.

D for Dark chocolate: This treat is full of antioxidants, which fight cell damage. It's rich in vitamin B6 and tryptophan, which converts to serotonin, a chemical that helps fight depression.

E for Eggs: The complete food (after breast milk), eggs contain every amino acid the body needs. They're a rich source of lutein, which protects against macular eye degeneration.

F for Fish: Omega 3 oils found in salmon, tuna, sardines and herrings have blood-thinning properties that protect arteries, lower BP, and may slow damage to your DNA.

G for Garlic: It maintains blood circulation and oxygenated blood helps keen skin, hair and nails strong and healthy.

H for Honey: Organic coldpressed honey (no more than ½ tsp a day) has a healing effect. Heating it robs it of essential vitamins, so don't put it in hot drinks or cook with it.

I for Iceberg Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce fights harmful free radicals and boosts the immune system because it contains manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium.

J for Japanese Green Tea: Japanese green tea is full of antiageing antioxidants and contains methylxanthines that boost metabolism, help burn fat, and lowers cholesterol.

K for Kombucha Tea: Fermented and packed with antioxidants, just one cup a day is an inexpensive way of taking all the antioxidants you need to age well.

L for Legume: Sprouted grains, millet, buckwheat, barley and lentils all contain saponin, which can slow the growth of tumours. They are also a good source of protein.

M for Mackerel: Mackerel (bangda) is an inexpensive oily fish high in essential oils, vitamins, minerals and rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.

N for Nuts: The skin of nuts is full of antiageing flavonoids. And all nuts are full of protein, fibre, essential fats, vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, which improves recall.

O for Onion: Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral, onions are full of digestive enzymes that detoxify and boost the immune system. Red onions are by far the best.

P for Parsley: A great inner cleanser, parsley is full of vitamins C, A and some B, as well as iron, calcium and potassium. It's also a natural diuretic.

Q for Quinoa: This energy-sustaining food that contains all eight essential amino acids; rich in calcium and iron.

R for Red Fruits: Red fruit and veg like raspberries, strawberries, red peppers, red cabbage and red onions are preferable to green varieties as they have powerful antioxidants that can fight heart disease and prostate cancer, minimise stroke risk and degeneration of the eyes.

S for Spinach: Full of antioxidants spinach can help deter stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure. It is among the top 10 super-foods because it contains lutein and zeaxanthin, strong anti-ageing compounds.

T for Tomato: This contains quercetin and the antioxidant lycopene, which is proven to be a super-efficient, freeradical scavenger and preserves mental and physical functions in elderly people.

U for Uncooked Vegetables: Cooking your vegetables can destroy many nutrients. Steaming or boiling in less water preserves nutrients. Eat raw veg as often as you can, and lightly cook at other times.

V for Veggies: Go for deep green, richly red or bright orange and yellow to get the maximum antioxidants and vitamins. They are all high in water content. When you eat water-based food as opposed to drinking water, your body keeps it for longer.

W for Walnuts: A great source of copper, walnuts stop hair turning grey and help it retain its natural colour longer.

X for Xylitol: The natural zero-calorie sweetener around, xylitol doesn't have the risk factors like artificial sweeteners, and helps to re-mineralise teeth.

Y for Yellow Fruits and Vegetables: Grapefruits, melons, pineapple and lemons have high antioxidant content, helping detoxify the body.

Z for Zucchini: Use zucchini in pasta as a base so you avoid the starchy pasta carbs that cause inflammation and excess weight because of the high sugar content.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/A-to-Z-of-youth-superfoods/articleshow/33438939.cms