Anti-Aging Foods

The fountain of youth may be right in your own kitchen. Studies suggest that what you eat can prevent heart disease, relieve arthritis, and boost brainpower. Here are superfoods to add to your diet:

• Fortified whole-grain cereal: Eating three servings of whole grain a day can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. An added benefit: Grain helps shed excess pounds. Best sources: Cheerios, Wheat Chex, All-Bran, Grape-Nuts Flakes.
• Cruciferous vegetables: Eating one cup of raw (or one-half cup cooked) broccoli a day can trigger cells to produce cancer-fighting compounds. Best sources: Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and brocco-flower (a mild-tasting broccoli and cauliflower hybrid).
• Leafy greens: Consuming one cup of, say, raw spinach four times a week can help fend off age-related muscular degeneration and incurable eye disease. Best sources: Spinach (fresh, frozen, or canned), arugula, kale, chard, turnip and collard greens, escarole, and parsley.
• Berries: The antioxidants you get by eating one-half to one cup of berries several times a week may prevent chronic degenerative diseases and premature aging. Best sources: blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries.
• Nuts: Grab a handful of nuts five times a week and you might decrease your risk of heart disease. Best sources: Almonds, pecans, peanuts.

To read more about anti-aging foods, pick up the November issue of Good Housekeeping.