Medical research has proven that diseases and gene mutations related to aging are associated with free radical damage. Therefore, maintaining sufficient antioxidants in the body and promptly eliminating free radicals are important means of anti-aging.
The two key elements to resisting aging are vegetables and fruits.
Vegetables and fruits play a very important role in preventing and treating some human diseases related to free radical damage and in the anti-aging process. Dietary guidelines from all over the world list the intake of vegetables and fruits as an important component. When the United States revised its latest Dietary Guidelines in 2000, it changed the guideline "Choose a diet rich in grains, vegetables, and fruits" to "Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily."
A large number of scientific tests have proven that vegetables and fruits not only provide some vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber needed by the human body, but also contain many plant antioxidants. For example, some vegetables and fruits are rich in polyphenols, including flavonoids and anthocyanins, and the antioxidant effects of some substances are even stronger than the well-known antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotene.
Anti-aging ranking of 36 vegetables (from strongest to weakest)
Lotus root 4.57, Ginger 2.24, Rapeseed 1.55, Cowpea 1.43, Taro 1.03, Garlic 0.87, Spinach 0.84, Bell pepper 0.82, Green bean 0.75, Broccoli 0.71, Green soybean 0.71, Scallion 0.69, White radish 0.60, Coriander 0.59, Carrot 0.55, Cabbage 0.49, Potato 0.46, Chive 0.44, Onion 0.41, Tomato 0.40, Eggplant 0.39, Cucumber 0.36, Cauliflower 0.31, Chinese cabbage 0.30, Pea 0.30, Mushroom 0.28, Winter melon 0.27, Luffa 0.24, Garlic stalk 0.20, Lettuce 0.19, Mung bean sprout 0.14, Yellow chive 0.12, Pumpkin 0.12, Celery 0.12, Chinese yam 0.08, Lettuce 0.06
Anti-aging ranking of 30 fruits (from strongest to weakest)
Hawthorn 13.42, Winter jujube 6.98, Guava 6.07, Kiwi fruit 4.38, Mulberry 4.11, Strawberry 3.29, Garnet pomegranate 3.10, Ponkan 2.29, Seedless green-skinned orange 2.19, Orange 1.89, Lemon 1.43, Cherry 0.99, Longan 0.94, Pineapple 0.87, Red banana apple 0.80, Pineapple 0.80, Banana 0.73, Plum 0.71, Lychee 0.59, Kumquat 0.50, Rose grape 0.49, Pomelo 0.39, Mango 0.38, Kubo peach 0.38, Apricot 0.34, Hami melon 0.24, Crystal pear 0.22, White lan melon 0.19, Watermelon 0.16, Persimmon 0.14.
Apple — The most beneficial fruit for health
In addition, among the many fruits and vegetables, Americans have ranked the most beneficial fruit for health. Apple ranks first because it is rich in fiber, which can supplement the body with sufficient fiber, reduce the incidence of heart disease, and also aid in weight loss. Many Americans consider apples a must-have for weight loss. They fast one day a week, eating only apples on this day, known as the "Apple Day".
Hawthorn — An excellent food for health preservation
Hawthorn is sour, sweet, and slightly warm. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that hawthorn has the effects of strengthening the spleen and promoting digestion, lowering blood pressure and lipids, and is an excellent food for health preservation.
Long-term use can prevent and treat the following diseases: 1. For indigestion: Take 200 grams of hawthorn, decoct it in water, and drink the juice as tea to prevent and treat indigestion caused by eating too much meat.
2. For coronary heart disease: Because the flavonoids in hawthorn can dilate the coronary arteries and increase coronary blood flow, patients with coronary heart disease (including those with angina) should often drink hawthorn and sugar water.
3. For high blood pressure, high blood lipids, obesity, and fatty liver: These patients can eat 5-10 hawthorns daily for a period of time to lower blood pressure and lipids and regulate lipids.
4. For constipation: Take 50 grams of fresh hawthorn, 150 grams of walnut kernels, and 25 grams of sugar. Add water and cook for a while. Drink it frequently as tea, and eat the hawthorn and walnut kernels. It has the effects of nourishing and promoting bowel movements, and can be used to prevent and treat dry mouth and constipation caused by fluid deficiency.
5. For gynecological diseases: Take 30 grams of hawthorn, add an appropriate amount of sugar, decoct it, and take the juice for 7 consecutive days to remove blood stasis and promote blood circulation, which can be used to prevent and treat amenorrhea and lower abdominal distension in women. It is worth reminding that although hawthorn is good, pregnant women and patients with peptic ulcers should not eat too much of it, and it is generally not advisable to eat too much on an empty stomach.