Foods for anti-ageing

Are there really foods for anti-ageing? Sadly, there isn't some magic apple you can eat that's suddenly going to knock twenty years off.

However there are indeed foods for anti-ageing that can help you look and feel younger. It is now thought that the antioxidants contained in certain foods do indeed slow the ageing process in human cells.

Apples are in fact a good example as they contain not only antioxidants but also pectin, which help to lower cholesterol levels. Other foods that are particularly good for anti-ageing include avocados, carrots, kiwi fruit, strawberries and grapes. Berries with their high vitamin C content help because vitamin C helps add new collagen to the skin.

Garlic is good for killing off germs connected with skin, intestinal and respiratory infections. Eating tomatoes is thought to help protect against cancer and heart disease because they are a rich source of lycopene, an anti-cancer agent and type of antioxidant. Eating tofu is also good as soybeans contain isoflavones that help correct hormone imbalances. Even chocolate is said to add a year to your life if eaten regularly. And red wine boosts circulation to the skin as well as being a protection against heart disease. Of course if not consumed in moderation, red wine and chocolate will quickly undo most of the good of the other more obviously healthy foods. At the end of the day, we are what we eat. Eating fresh food as part of a balanced diet will help keep you looking fresh and balanced too.