Let's face it…everyone ages. But did you know that there is FAR more to the process than merely the passing of time?
And in spite of the unique combination of genes you and I have inherited, we can make choices that largely determine whether we will look and feel 10 years (or more) older, or younger than our driver’s license indicates.
Many variables contribute to how old we look and feel. In general, inflammation and oxidative stress are the major culprits that cause us to age faster than we should.
Some of the key variables that contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress include:
A sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight
High levels of blood sugar and insulin
A non-nutritive diet consisting of processed food and sugar
Too much stress
Inadequate sleep and rest
Harmful habits such as smoking and too much alcohol
The inflammation and oxidative damage brought on by the above factors are associated with loss of cognitive function, memory, motor function and balance, the accelerated aging of our skin, and poorer health in general.
There is no substitute for righting those factors listed above.
No special pill or single food can reverse premature aging. However, when we deliberately pursue a healthy lifestyle, it’s helpful to know some of the anti-aging secrets and put them to good use!
One of those secrets is the blueberry.
The blueberry ranks as a superfood due to its high nutritional value. Additionally, those little, deep-blue pearls are brimming with antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals that cause inflammation and oxidative damage.
Color matters! The anthocyanins in blueberries that give them their deep blue color relieve oxidative stress that causes aging.
Blueberries have been shown to slow or reverse cognitive degeneration, reduce inflammation, improve motor function, hinder the growth of cancer cells, and benefit the urinary tract.
The vitamin C in blueberries is also great for your skin, building collagen that keeps skin firm and wrinkle-free.
The compounds in blueberries also help prevent heart disease and stroke, improve eyesight, reduce the symptoms of arthritis, boost your immune system, and ward off Alzheimer’s.
While blueberries are relatively low in sugar, you don’t want to go out and gorge yourself with blueberries! Simply make them a part of your regular diet.
Here are some ideas for enjoying blueberries:
~ Au natural – simply as a snack
~ On granola
~ As a complement to a salad
~ With cottage cheese or yogurt
~ In a trail mix with nuts and seeds
~ As an ingredient in a fruit salad
~ In a smoothie
~ In a bowl with coconut whipped cream
Blueberries cannot take the place of other healthy habits. But combined with those habits, blueberries offer amazing anti-aging benefits!
How will you eat your blueberries today?
Yours in Health,
Danette
