In an era when even people in their twenties are seeking Botox treatments and expensive skin care regimens, it is clear that our culture is obsessed with youth.
The societal implications of this notwithstanding, let’s focus on the positives: people want to find and nurture their “best selves,” and that’s a good thing!
A desire to feel and look one’s best, filled with energy and optimism, is a worthy and achievable goal. No Botox required.
If you are the kind of person who prefers a natural, healthy way of living to achieve the goal of feeling the vim and vigor of youth, then read on.
You are what you eat
“You are what you eat” … According to the Random House Dictionary of Common Proverbs and Sayings, this phrase has been around since 1941. Nearly 75 years later, this is truer than ever.
What kinds of foods can you eat that will maximize your feelings of youthful energy?
Melons. Who doesn’t love fresh cantaloupe, watermelon or honeydew melon? The great news is, they are so high in water content, they keep you hydrated. A 2012 Journal of Nutrition study found that even mild forms of dehydration have a very negative effect on your energy and mood. So treat yourself to some fresh melon to help you stay hydrated. (1)
Fresh orange juice. The vitamin C in just one 8-ounce glass of fresh orange juice gives you enough for an entire day’s allowance! This is important because vitamin C produces carnitine, which is a molecule that helps you burn fat for energy. (2)
Greek yogurt. The combination of protein, carbs and fat give your body a steady dose of energy throughout the day. (3)
What kinds of foods can you eat to help you achieve a youthful, brighter complexion?
Green tea. Brew up some healthy green tea to help you protect your skin and keep it in top form. Packed with a polyphenol antioxidant known as EGCG, green tea helps keep your sun protected from harmful UV rays. It also helps with hydration, which is a wonderful bonus for your skin. (4)
Cooked tomatoes. In their cooked form, tomatoes are loaded with the powerful antioxidant Lycopene, which is a true friend to your skin (it helps protect and prevent skin from sun damage). (5)
Cocoa powder. The antioxidants found in dark chocolate, flavonals, help smooth skin roughness and also protect against sun damage. A 2006 Journal of Nutrition study found that women who drank cocoa with flavonals had superior skin texture to those who did not. So, eat your chocolate, science backs you! (6)
Attitude is everything
Perhaps even more important than your diet, when it comes to achieving and maintaining a youthful appearance, is your attitude.
Keeping your thoughts on the sunny side, and having a low-key, relaxed attitude to life, will go a long way to keep you feeling youthful.
A 2009 study in Sweden demonstrated that those who have a relaxed and outgoing personality have a lower risk of dementia. (7)
The most powerful evidence for how a great attitude can help keep you young comes from a woman who is the epitome of youth, even though she is well into her nineties!
Tao Porchon-Lynch is the world’s oldest yoga teacher. She radiates happiness, joy, and youthful vigor. Her opinion is that happiness is the true fountain of youth, and that finding your passion can and will boost your inner happiness levels. (8)
If you start adding foods high in nutrient and antioxidant value to your diet, and work on your inner-happiness-groove, your skin will thank you, your mind will thank you, and you can find your own version of the fountain of youth!
Antonia is a science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition. She has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. Read more by Antonia here, and SUBSCRIBE!
Sources for this article include:
(1) www.cookinglight.com
(2) www.prevention.com
(3) www.health.com
(4) www.healthline.com
(5) healthyeating.sfgate.com
(6) health.usnews.com
(7) www.hellobrain.eu
(8) www.naturalnews.com
