You are 40 now and you are worried about the changes you are experiencing in your body. Sometimes wishing you could turn back the hand of time. Never to worry! You can do something about health, your fitness. You can still feel like you were in your early twenties if you can take care of yourself, especially your nutrition.

As people age, it becomes naturally more difficult to combat chronic diseases, maintain a healthy metabolism, and keep belly fat at bay. Contrary to what you may have been made to believe, your health isn’t a write – off as some may suggest. Indeed, you may cut out bread for a week and still may not be able to lose pounds like you did while you were in your twenties. But you certainly can add specific healthy foods like the ones listed below to your diet in your quest to turn back the hand of time.

When you are 40 and above, choosing these youth-promoting foods will help equip your body. With the cancer-fighting, wrinkle-smoothing, and metabolism-revving vitamins and nutrients, it needs to help you look and feel young and vibrant.

1. Plant Based Milk

At 40 and above our bodies may start losing the capacity to break down lactose as efficiently as before. When we can’t efficiently digest food, it tends to cause a lot of gas stored and eventually causes belly protrusion. Which is the opposite of a flat stomach. At this stage, it is extremely important to avoid dairy foods, and you’ll likely see lots of improvement.

Are you having difficulties giving up your late-night cereal sessions? Not to worry yet! Just opt mostly for plant based milk from sources like almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, hemp milk, pea milk as better alternatives.

2. Raspberries

Raspberries are known to be low in calories but very high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They have been proved to help the aged keep diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis and other conditions at bay with phytochemicals. They may even provide anti-aging effects. Raspberries can help you feel fuller long enough in addition to relieving constipation.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are known as huge sources of antioxidant that belong to a family of polyphenols antioxidants called flavonoids. Studies have proved that these antioxidants protect your body from several free radicals. Which are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your cells and contribute to aging and diseases, such as cancer. These antioxidants also reduce DNA damage, hence they help protect against aging.

4. Onions

Although all vegetables are important for health, but certain kinds offer more unique benefits. Onions are known to be members of the Allium genus of flowering plants including garlic, shallots, leeks and chives.

They are packed with nutrients like dietary fiber, folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin C. Meaning they’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals. Onions are particularly high in vitamin C. A nutrient involved in regulating immune health, collagen production, tissue repair and even iron absorption.

Studies have shown that they promote an unfavorable environment for cancer cells and as well disrupt communication between cancer cells, which eventually inhibits growth.

5. Spinach

Eating spinach studies have shown may benefit your eye health, reduce oxidative stress, help prevent cancer, and as well reduce blood pressure levels. There are many ways to prepare spinach. If you are looking to achieve a bikini body, then adding high volume leafy greens like spinach is always a very good idea. Popeye’s favorite pick is rich in vitamin E as well as the amino acid betaine and the nutrient choline, which work together to keep at bay fat storing genes in the liver.

6. Watermelon

Watermelon is quite low in sugar in comparison with many other fruits. With watermelon you don’t have to worry about glycation, which is the chemical reaction that compromises collagen and leads to lines and wrinkles. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits, including sun protection, improved heart health and a lower risk of certain types of cancer.

7. Apple

Apples are extremely very rich in important strong antioxidants like quercetin, catechin, phloridzin and chlorogenic acid. The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples can go a long in reducing the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, especially in aged people.

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In laboratory tests, apples have been found to have very strong antioxidant activity, can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease lipid oxidation, as well as lower cholesterol.

8. Honey

The use of honey is particularly healthy instead of refined sugar. Several researches have shown that honey contains varying concentrations of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, treat digestion issues, neurodegenerative disease, weight management difficulties and cancer. Polyphenols are also abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, and olive oil.

9. Cinnamon

Studies have shown that this warm spice may be beneficial in reducing high blood sugar levels associated with sugar consumption as well as prevent pesky insulin spikes. One study even found that cinammon intake can help reduce your risk for diabetes and heart disease.

10. Garlic

One of the famous words from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates who is often called the father of Western medicine is “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”  He was known to actually prescribe garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions and today modern medical sciences have proved so much benefits of eating garlic.

Garlic is a natural detoxifier and can improve your cholesterol profiles as well as reduce high blood pressure for those who are 40 years and above.  Another study in the Japanese Journal of Cancer Research reveals that continuous consumption of garlic can protect against esophageal cancer and stomach cancer. 40