New Delhi: Ageing in the human body is a gradual and unavoidable process. Ageing is reflected not only on the exterior in form of wrinkles, but also affects some of the most vital organs in the human body. While the natural process of ageing cannot be reversed or its effects slowed down, there are multiple options to ensure that risks which accompany ageing, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, can be considerably reduced. Food items rich in antioxidants help in the reduction of ageing related risks.
Inflammation of cells is a common occurrence as human bodies age. Cell metabolism reduces, thus lessening their abilities to perform usual day-to-day functions. Cardiovascular diseases in particular, are highly likely to occur in people who have just entered the age group of 60. A diet rich in antioxidants can however, ensure that cells in the heart remain properly functional. Nutritionists have found out that the morning tea/coffee is a highly important beverage for ageing people, as the antioxidant polyphenol found in tea and coffee helps in the prevention of oxidation of fats and reduces not only the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but also diabetes.
Cell inflammation is a common occurrence in ageing people and once it begins affecting the heart, the risk of cardiovascular diseases increase. Food items rich in antioxidants help check inflammation of cells and thereby, ensures a healthier heart with longevity, said Dr Debanu Ghosh Roy of Apollo Hospitals’ Cardiology Division, Kolkata.
Antioxidants are not good just for the heart. They are beneficial for several other reasons as well. Beta carotene rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach are beneficial for the eye. Food items rich in lycopene, such as watermelon, grapefruit and papaya help in improving prostate health, a highly problematic and painful result of ageing. Ageing also sees depletion of immunity making the body prone to diseases. Antioxidants can also boost immunity, and the dietary supplement spirulina has antioxidant properties which help in increasing immunity of ageing people.
“Antioxidant rich food items ensure overall improvement of an ageing body and helps in the retention of its fitness structure. For ageing people, it is important to concentrate on the well-being of every aspect of their health, from heart to immunity. Antioxidant rich foods do that and hence are highly recommended by doctors and nutritionists alike,” said Dr Ghosh Roy.
So what should an antioxidant rich diet consist of?
Start the day with green tea or coffee along with a generous helping of fruits such as raspberries, grapefruit or watermelon. For lunch, a tomato soup and broccoli salad for vegetarians and baked salmon for non-vegetarians should suffice. Evening snack can comprise of fruits such as cranberries and blueberries, and a dish rich in kidney beans for dinner makes up for a good antioxidant rich diet.
While the perils of ageing are difficult to come to terms to with, proper diet and exercise can ensure the body retains its fitness for much longer than anticipated. A big plus of an antioxidant rich diet is that most of the food items are readily available in local markets, and are often a part of daily diets and not required to be.