5 Foods That Extend Time

Tomatoes
Have you got a bad thing to say about 'em? Ranging from purple to yellow, the juicy fruit that bursts with flavor is wonderful not only for its taste, but for its health properties as well. The red pigment in tomatoes is called lycopene, an antioxidant that is good for your eyes. Lycopene is more easily absorbed by the body when tomatoes are heated, either during cooking or processing. One tomato contains vitamins C, A and K, and potassium and fiber. A medium-sized tomato may provide almost half of a person’s recommended daily amount of vitamin C.

Benefits: Aids in the development of healthy teeth, bones, skin and hair, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and possibly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Apples
Loaded with flavanols, apples are a great source of antioxidants and nutrients. Besides keeping your skin from wrinkling and promoting hair growth, apples contain antioxidants that protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer development. Sprinkling some cinnamon on an apple or pairing it with cheese or peanut butter makes for a tasty and nutritious snack.

Benefits: Helps with bone protection and relieves asthma, helps prevent Alzheimer's disease and lowers cholesterol. Prevents certain types of cancers and diabetes, and aids in weight-loss management.

Berries
From blue to black to acai, berries are great superfoods that are super for healthy aging. Loaded with antioxidants, berries are naturally sweet, providing for a delicious snack, topping or dessert. One cup of strawberries contains over 100 milligrams of vitamin C—almost as much as a cup of orange juice. High in nutrients and low in calories, the beautifully colored fruits are loaded with flavanols that help prevent disease.

Benefits: Help prevent heart disease and cancer, control blood glucose, slow aging, sharpen brain function and improve vision.

White Tea
No, not green tea (though that is another healthy option). White tea actually has more antioxidants than green tea, even though it comes from the same plant. White tea is produced from an immature plant bud still covered in fine white hairs (hence, white tea), while green tea is produced from leaves that are more mature and dried out. Because white tea is handled more delicately, it retains more of the antioxident content than green tea. Adding some honey or natural sugar will boost the sweetness of this delicious drink. Try drinking at least one cup of white or green tea daily.

Benefits: Prevents certain types of cancer, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, protects your heart, strengthens your bones, and promotes healthy teeth, gums and skin.

Salmon
In general, fish is important for your health. It's filled with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Choosing wild Alaskan salmon over farm-raised is a smart decision as farm raised salmon has a higher level of PCBs, a contaminant that has been banned in the US since the 1970s and has been linked to cancer and impaired fetal brain development. Farm-raised fish is also higher in mercury. If you prepare your own sushi, freezing raw fish before preparing it significantly reduces, but does not eliminate, health risks. Studies also show that salmon is good for your skin, helping to reduce the inflammations that cause acne. Fish is a great source of protein, which will keep you feeling full for a good amount of time.

Benefits: Helps prevent blood clots, slows cognitive problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. Helps reduce risk of unwanted inflammation and helps maintain the integrity of immune and circulatory systems.

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