“You are what you eat” is a popular saying that has been around for a long time. It emphasizes the idea that eating nutritious, balanced meals contributes to a healthier body and mind.
The truth is that the food we consume has direct effect on our physical and mental health and our overall well-being.
A new study suggests that certain foods can contribute to maintaining your youthful looks and even reverse the process of aging.
The study states the difference between real age – the number of years you’ve lived – and biological age, which refer to the age of your cells and tissue.
Biological age can be determined by a person’s lifestyle, and that certainly includes the food consumed.
The study in question, conducted by the scientists from the University of Washington and other institutions, suggests consuming food rich in natural substances called methyl adaptogens in order to slow down your biological age.
They have investigated how the dietary choices influence DNA methylation, a process that regulates gene activity without changing the DNA sequence.
The participants in the study, 43 healthy, middle-aged men from Portland, consumed a plant-based, nutrient-rich diet, exercised, slept well, and reduced stress during an eight-week program.
The results at the end of the program showed that those who consumed more turmeric, rosemary, garlic, and berries, and drank green tea and oolong tea, reversed their biological age to a greater extent compared to those who avoided these natural compounds.
According to the authors of the study, whole grains, legumes, and some dairy products that are otherwise considered healthy were left out of the study’s diet plan because they can cause temporary digestive issues at some people, especially those who don’t usually include them in their diet.
When DNA methylation increases at certain spots in the genome, it can lead to faster aging. But lower levels of methylation in those areas may help reduce or even reverse biological age.
Eating a diet rich in polyphenols—like the Mediterranean diet, known for its health benefits—may help you look and feel younger.
The authors of the study suggest eating dark leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, colorful vegetables, seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower), beetroot, lean meats, low-glycemic fruits, and foods from the methyl adaptogen group (like turmeric or green tea).
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