Area Agency on Aging

Aging is a part of life many of us would rather ignore, especially as time goes on. However, aging doesn’t have to mean stopping the things you love. While no one can completely avoid the effects of time, you can still see significant benefits with the right combination of exercise and diet. To find out which foods are best, keep reading.

• Garlic: Vampires had it all wrong. Scientists have found that eating a clove of garlic at least once a week decreases your risk of colon cancer by 50, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and even thins the blood more effectively than aspirin.
• Beets: While high in flavor, beets are actually low in calories. Within their tasty makeup, they contain folic acid and antioxidants, which protect against heart disease and cancer. Researchers have also discovered beneficial properties on skin and lung tumors.
• Soybeans: Soybeans have been used in ancient Asia for millennia, but other countries only caught on in the early 20^th century. Luckily, now we can all enjoy the benefits of the bean, which include maintaining estrogen levels in women and defending against Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and heart issues.
• Cranberries: These tiny fruits have a lot of fansjust check out The Cranberry Institute. Their biggest claim to fame is their level of phenolscholesterol-lowering plant chemicals. Cranberries also prevent bacteria from sticking to bladder walls and teeth.
• Watermelon: This summer favorite is one that can be enjoyed throughout your whole life. The flesh contains vitamins A, B, and C. If you blend up the fruit along with the seeds, you’ll also get selenium, zinc, vitamin E, and essential fats, which all defend against aging.
• Olive oil: With monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, this oil is the best for maintaining a healthy heart (despite being high in calories). Olive oil has also been associated with protecting against ovarian and breast cancer.