We eat chiefly to stay alive. We prefer to have good-tasting food, but the first concern is our immediate survival. Food serves lots of other purposes, however, including being important to not just how long we live but whether we enjoy a good quality of life.
Aging comes with lots of side effects, both physical and mental. Some are serious health problems (such as increased risk of strokes or dementia) and some are more cosmetic (wrinkles, gray hair), but all can have a big impact on us. Nutrition is one of the most important ways to mitigate these effects.
What exactly do we need to eat? As always, there needs to be a balance between all the different nutrients. If you have a slight deficiency in one vitamin, it might not be enough to cause a serious illness, but it may stop your body from running at maximum efficiency. When that happens, it’s the long-term and cosmetic aspects that lose out to the immediate essentials of living.
When it comes to anti-aging, there are specific ingredients that you may be told to look out for. These include those high in vitamins, minerals, good fats and antioxidants. You’ll also need plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Get it right, and it will show on your skin first.
Skin is the most visually apparent aspect of your body, so it’s what people see and judge you by. Proper nutrition will keep your skin soft, bright and hydrated rather than dry, saggy and wrinkly. Taking care of your skin also means increased protection from illness and injury (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146365/). Look out for things that boost collagen production.
Part of the trouble is that as we get older, it’s hard to maintain proper nutrition. Perhaps people have trouble with digestion, or maybe they’re getting forgetful and don’t always manage to eat regular meals. Perhaps they need dentures to be able to chew properly. These things can add up, which is why it’s important to start eating a proper diet when you’re young, so it has plenty of time to take effect.
What we eat affects every part of the body, and so does aging. The first impacts the second, and the second can cause problems with the first. Proper planning and eating a balanced diet when you’re young are some of the best anti-aging steps you can take.
