Benjamin Franklin once said “We dig our graves with our teeth.” It may sound funny but it’s true. We are taught at an early age that food gives us calories and energy. But this does not tell even part of the truth. The right food nutrition can make you feel younger and healthier and contribute to natural anti aging or they can kill you.

It is important to eat healthy with today’s hectic lifestyles. Nutritious foods can help prevent heart disease or allow it to happen. The right foods can help you lose weight or get fat. Some foods even keep your hair and skin healthy and young looking well into your golden years – or allow them to fall out. If you think genetics is responsible then consider this – the nutrition you consume determines which genes are activated and which genes are dormant.

By incorporating certain changes to your daily diet for natural anti aging, you can look younger while greatly cutting your risk for disease. As time goes on, your healthier food habits can lessen your chance of dependency on medications later in life and reduce health care costs.

Knowing which foods to avoid can be easy. We all know what junk food is. The more processed the food, the less nutritious it may be. But, what should we eat? Here is a partial list of food that are high in nutrition to help you feel young and stay healthy.

Bananas are full of potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and loaded with fiber. These help strengthen your stomach lining to protect against ulcers. The high potassium may help regulate high blood pressure.

Barley has traditionally been known as heart medicine in the Middle East. This grain can help reduce cholesterol levels and contains antioxidants important for cancer prevention. The dried grass of barley is also an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals.

Beans are a great source of fiber which also helps to reduce cholesterol levels by up to 10%. In addition, these high protein sources may also help regulate blood sugar levels.

Blueberries act as an antibiotic. They can keep infectious bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract, which helps to prevent urinary tract and bladder infections.

Cinnamon is a strong stimulator of insulin activity therefore it is potentially helpful for those with adult-onset diabetes. In addition, it has been shown to help prevent blood clots.

Chili Peppers have long been known to help blood flow freely, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. They contain capsaicin that helps fight inflammation. This substance is also used for pain relief from ailments such as arthritis and psoriases. Athletes like chili peppers for the effect it has on speeding up metabolism.

Dates are packed with minerals including iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, calcium, copper and magnesium as well as being high in fiber. These treats also contain a substance that acts as a natural aspirin.

Garlic is one of the most well-known foods that heal. stimulates the immune system and is a known to be anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. In addition it helps your body cleanse by killing parasites and eliminating toxic substances such as lead and zinc. It is being studied by the National Cancer Institute for its anti-tumor properties.

Ginger helps to relieve nausea and pain caused from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers in Denmark have found it can block the effects of certain substances that cause inflammation of the brain, which leads to migraines. It also has been found to have a similar effect as aspirin does on the thinning of blood helping to prevent blood clots.

Parsley is high in antioxidants. It helps detoxify carcinogens including those found in t0bacco smoke. It helps cleanse the body by absorbing toxins to help move them out of the body.

Tea is loaded with polyphenols. These antioxidants have been shown to protect from free radical damage as much as many fruits and vegetables! In addition, a recent study showed that just 2 cups of tea daily may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 46%. Include it as part of your health regimen, because it is also known to help shed belly fat.

Adding many of these foods to your natural anti aging program is easy. Research is showing how powerful foods can be. Remember Hippocrates, the father of medicine, called on all physicians to let food be your medicine.

Get into the best years of your life with natural anti aging and if you are truly determined, see how anti aging exercise is a great way to look great at any age.