Getting older tends to involve a gradual loss of physical and psychological abilities and an increased risk of illness.
This frailty results from the functional decline of cell and organ-related systems. Although genetics play a significant role in this, behavioral, environmental, and dietary factors can also influence the aging process by affecting how well your cells and organs function.
This means that you have the opportunity to significantly slow down the effects of aging by choosing to eat foods that promote healthy aging.
Stop Looking For Miracle Cures
Aging is a complex and multi-factorial process, and there’s no one single food or supplement that can magically prevent or reverse it.
Your health is not determined by any one ingredient but rather by the overall quality of your diet. So, instead of looking for that one perfect food, focus on improving your whole dietary pattern so that everything you eat each day contributes to optimal health and longevity.
Maximize Nutrient Density
Over the past decade, a growing body of evidence proves that calorie restriction provides robust and powerful effects on aging-relevant molecular pathways.
In modern America, excess food consumption is a more significant and more common problem than food scarcity. Obesity and chronic illnesses are destructive to the body and can significantly accelerate the aging process.
But calorie restriction is not about starving yourself or just eating less food. It’s about choosing foods with a low energy density and high nutrient density. In other words, you want to eat foods that are low in calories but rich in nutrients.
Eat More Plants
Perhaps the most beneficial dietary pattern with a strong evidence base for health and longevity is a plant-based diet.
Plants are naturally low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals – all nutrients that are essential for optimal health.
When you fill your stomach with plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, beans, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, seeds), you’ll take in a huge supply of all sorts of essential nutrients without over-consuming calories or putting your health at risk the way other foods might.
Foods To Avoid
While fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods can help you age gracefully, other common foods will increase your risk of chronic disease and potentially bring on the frailty of old age much sooner.
- Fatty meats
- Fried foods
- Processed meats (sausage, hot dogs, deli meats)
- Whole-fat dairy products
- Refined carbohydrates (soft drinks, white bread, white rice, pastries)
- Sugary drinks (soda, fruit juices, sports drinks)
- Trans fats (margarine, shortening, commercial baked goods)
- Alcohol
- High sodium canned or processed foods
All of these have been linked to adverse health outcomes, so avoiding them is best.
Making healthy food choices is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and slow down the aging process. By following these principles, you can ensure that your diet is working for you, not against you.
