The Top 8 Foods to Make You Feel Younger in '11

Everyone wants to feel younger. We all wish we had more energy, looked better, and had more time to get our health on the right track. So, I reviewed tons of research and came up with the following list of foods that will help you feel younger this year. I’ve included foods that will improve your skin, protect your vision, speed healing, fight off age-related diseases, and more. It’s likely that you’ll find many these foods on “superfood” and “top foods” lists, but they make those lists for a good reason. We are what we eat and if you want to be your best this year, these foods are a great start.

1. Green tea – Dr. Nicholas Perricone, famous dermatologist and inventor of the face saving Perricone Diet, said that “green tea contains healthy acids and protein, which help to improve your complexion.” (Ref: Response Source) Researchers from the Douglas Hospital Research Centre (DHRC) published a study in the European Journal of Neuroscience that suggests regular consumption of green or black tea may reduce your risk of age-related degenerative brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s. (Ref: Physorg)
2. Eggs – A nutritional biochemist at Tufts University says that the antioxidants in eggs are easily absorbed by your body. Eggs are packed with the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which are crucial to keeping healthy eyes and sharp vision. (Ref: MSNBC)

3. Dark Chocolate – A University of Nottingham professor found that drinking cocoa drinks rich in flavanols improves blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours. Flavanols in the cocoa drink are a key ingredient of dark chocolate. Professor Macdonald’s study also suggested that cocoa flavanols in chocolate may enhance brain function to help fight sleep deprivation, fatigue, and the effects of aging. (Ref: Physorg)
4. Concord grapes & Welch’s 100% Grape Juice – Welch’s website boasts that in an independent study of over 1000 common foods, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice “ranked #1 in antioxidant capacity per serving among all juices and beverages tested.” Welch’s reports that new research shows “eating a diet high in natural antioxidants such as those found in Concord grape juice may slow down the effects of aging, such as by protecting memory and reducing the signs of skin aging.” (Ref: Welch’s)
5. Pineapple – Pineapple is the only food with natural bromelain (an enzyme group that aids digestion, reduces inflammation and swelling, and speeds healing). These enzymes are helpful for muscle and joint injuries, gout, and arthritis. Note: Cooking pineapple deactivates the bromelain. (Ref: Mark’s Daily Apple)

6. Zucchini - ChefMD ® says that zucchini helps fight age-related macular degeneration (the most common form of blindness in people 55 and older). The National Eye Institute found that a high intake of lutein significantly reduces the risk of macular degeneration. Zucchini is packed with lutein to help you protect your vision before age takes its toll. (Ref: ChefMD)
7. Salmon and Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Dr. Oz says that omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most important nutrients to keep your cerebral power lines strong. Research shows that Omega-3s actually slow cognitive decline, remove plaque from your arteries, and improve function of your neurotransmitters (the message-senders in your brain). Dr. Oz recommends eating 13 oz. of fish a week or taking two grams of fish oil supplement every day.
8. Blueberries – The Agricultural Research Service funded a study that found antioxidant compounds (tannins and anthocyanins) in blueberries which reverse existing short-term memory losses. (Ref: Nutra Ingredients). These compounds have been linked to preventing and reversing age-related mental decline and cancer.
Note: If your grocery store sells it, try out fresh Pomegranate or Acai juice to get similar antioxidant-packed, age-fighting benefits.