Translator
Does Monday get you down and do you drag yourself through the day only to look in the mirror and see dark circles, crows feet and generally, a much older you? I’ve been reading the woes of Monday on twitter and decided on a post to cheer us all up.
Well, here are 7 foods that can keep you looking young!
Dark Chocolate
Clinical trials to date to show improvement in blood vessel function from consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily over an extended period of time. The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama, have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.
Blueberries
Expensive to buy these in Malaysia but a Study by researchers at an American University found that rats who where fed blueberries outperformed rats fed regular chow, on tests of balance and coordination when they reached old age. Compounds in blueberries (and other berries) mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage, which are associated with age-related deficits in memory and motor function.
Fish
Thirty years ago, researchers began to study why the native Inuits of Alaska were remarkably free of heart disease. The reason, is the extraordinary amount of oily fish they consume. Fish is an abundant source of omega-3 fats, which help prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries and protect against abnormal heart rhythms. Of course the source of the fish is important too – go for wild salmon vs. farmed salmon (some have been shown to be high in mercury). Uncontaminated water source is vital.
Nuts
Studies have shown that Nuts are a rich source of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to those associated with olive oil. They’re also concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants. Be careful though some nuts are pretty high in cholesterol e.g. cashew nuts. Stick with the healthier almonds!
Wine
Drinking alcohol in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss – Red wine being the best. Red wine contains oligomeric procyanidins as the likely ingredient in red wine’s polyphenols that contributes to heart health and longevity. Take note, moderation is key, i.e. drink one glass not one bottle!
Olive Oil
The monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete and in Italy. Of course now a days the advent of Junk/Fast Food and Coca-cola have made these countries catch up to the rest of the world in terms of mortality rates. However, we do know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases and keep one looking youthful.
Yogurt
While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis and contains “good bacteria” that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.
So, your mission this week is to ensure you get at least the 7 mentioned items in your diet, starting now. Wishing all my readers a stress free week.. stay young!
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I eat all of the above ! Minus the wine! *pats self on the back*
that’s not bad at all.. vs. just ONE of the above like some people i know! LOL
Tim’s Nuts qualify ar?
the real one or the cake? either way, not healthy eating .. mwuahahaa
Uh oh. I think I’m a little low on wine now. Must step up intake!
LOL, don’t forget to invite me!
ohmygosh… I had all of those.. well, except for blurberry
no wonder so many people said that I have babyface lah… hahaha!
you DO have a baby face!
why you don’t wanna put the Fidani chocolates picture?!!
Dark chocolate & wine FTW!!
i don’t have the foto mah! chis ..ahaha
they are all my fave! love the combination of dark choc n wine
same here.. it makes eating healthy sound so easy, but why don’t more people do it eh? LOL
i like this post.
and i shall be reminded to consume more of them.
i was wondering if we come up with a snack that combine all this 7 stuffs, would it have any commercial value and wonder how it would taste like.
well the taste might be a little strange if you think of fishy chocs? LOL. but you go ahead and tell me if it is a success!
yay, i like all those seven items too! but how to stop at just ONE glass of wine!
you must! it’s vital you stop at one! (impossible for the bottomless pit sean, i know! LOL)
Lyrical Lemongrass… I had a taste of what it is like to be in your shoes… last week, I had Tim’s Nuts two mornings in a row for breakfast… so sinful… I am sure it doesn’t keep me young… but hell, I was satisfied.
Frat, joker.. i too eat cake for bfast, cumi does it frequently. i can assure you it’s BAD FOR YOU! LOL
the latest school of thought highly recommended extra virgin coconut oil to stay youthful!!!!
agree
You did not mention Garlic and the French Paradox my dear!
wei kian lee! harlo.. and long time no see.. i’ve missed ur sarky comments:P eh, who said I missed the french paradox? red wine is in mah.. so the french eat loadsa unsaturated fats but still have low cardiac disease which might be attributed to 1. the wine they drink or 2. they just eat less calories la
Hmm I’ve only got 5 out of 7 which i consume on a weekly basis. All except wine and blueberries. Guess I gotta start eating those sourish berries now. Well wine’s my only exception. Sighs
But I think using good skincare products *cough* Kiehl’s *cough cough* Lancome *cough* helps too…so does water!
u better start drinking! kidding .. well, of course sleep and water all helps but 7 seemed like an easy number to remember
I like ‘em ALL!! With the exception of yoghurt because it’s difficult to find soy yoghurt in these quarters. Now, Ciki, hurry and find some high powered clinical research that supports wine consumption by the bottle because one glass is a really tough sell for health!!
Isn’t it lucky that most of them are my favourites?
Cheers to youth!