If you are looking for a way to "keep aging and staying healthy", start by eating fruit every day. According to Health Shots, a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that eating at least three servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day, especially berries, can help slow down the aging process and maintain physical and mental health in the late afternoon.
What are flavonoids?
This is an antioxidant compound found in many plants such as strawberries, blueberries, apples, green tea and red wine. Flavonoids help neutralize free radicals, which cause cell damage and speed up the aging process.
We have developed an index called flavodiet to measure flavonoid-rich diets, says Dr Aedin Cassidy, Professor at Queens Belfast University (UK). The results show that the more flavonoids a diet has, the slower the aging process becomes."
According to research, three servings a day, such as a cup of green tea, a bowl of fresh mulberry and an apple, can bring significant benefits such as:
Reduced risk of memory loss and fitness
Stabilize blood pressure and cholesterol
Maintain muscle mass
Improve blood vessel health
Nutritionist Erin Holley, from Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University (USA), commented: "Flavonoids help fight inflammation, protect cells, slow down the aging process at the cell level, that is, the origin of most age-related diseases".
However, the study also admits some limitations, such as relying on self-declared data, which may be inaccurate and lacking ethnic diversity in the survey sample.
However, experts say that there is no need to change the entire serving immediately. Even adding a serving of fruit or vegetables per day is better than doing nothing. The important thing is to maintain long-term habits," says Dr. Cassidy.
