07 Feb 7 Most Powerful Anti-ageing Superfoods

Creating a list of every superfood might make your grocery list longer than you’d like. Thankfully, a system developed by the National Institute on Aging simplifies things. It’s called the ORAC scale, which stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. This scale helps us understand which foods pack the most antioxidant punch. High-scoring items on this scale usually burst with antioxidants, ranging from leafy greens and vibrant fruits and vegetables to nuts, seeds, spices, herbs, and teas.

Superfoods rich in antioxidants often contain a mix of antioxidant compounds, typically with one or two main ingredients leading the charge. These superfoods are vital to keeping you healthy, energetic, and youthful. Let’s talk about a few standout antioxidants and superfoods:

Glutathione
If there’s one antioxidant you remember, make it this one: Nicknamed the “master antioxidant” for its free-radical-busting superpowers, glutathione is crucial to detoxing and boosting performance in every cell of your body. This powerful antioxidant is your body’s natural detox agent: it protects against inflammation, oxidation and toxins while supporting your mitochondria, boosting immunity, and recharging other antioxidants and enzymes. (It’s even great for hangovers!)

Co-enzyme Q10
CoQ10 is another potent antioxidant produced in your body, and used to protect all cell membranes. Its antioxidant abilities make it necessary for cell communication, mitochondrial function, and ATP formation. Low CoQ10 levels are associated with a range of chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative, muscular and cardiac diseases, as well as diabetes and cancer. CoQ10 also helps re-fuel other antioxidants, keeping you young and resilient.

Vitamin C
On top of being vital for collagen formation and a big immunity booster, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is also a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C easily donates electrons to neutralise free radicals, and help prevent oxidation in your body. It’s also used to manufacture glutathione, another big-name antioxidant. It can be hard to get enough vitamin C from food, so supplement with at least 500mg daily.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E (tocopherol) is a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects your cell membranes’ fats from oxidation and damage. It plays a big role in protecting your skin from damage and ageing caused by the free radicals that form with UV exposure. There are 8 forms of vitamin E, although your body’s preferred form is ?-tocopherol. 

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)
Lipoic acid is known as the “universal antioxidant” for its ability to ease oxidative stress throughout the body. Studies show that ALA supports lowering glucose levels in diabetic conditions, boosts mitochondrial function, and fights premature ageing. ALA also has neuroprotective and cancer-fighting effects and acts as an anti-inflammatory. On top of its own benefits, ALA can also help recharge vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione to be useful again as antioxidants.

Astaxanthin
This powerful antioxidant comes from red marine algae. Astaxanthin is a highly potent antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress in your brain, nervous system and heart and boosts your mitochondrial energy production. Astaxanthin makes its mark as an eye and skin helper and slows and reverses age-related eye degeneration. 

Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a diverse group of antioxidant plant chemicals that promote memory, learning, and cognitive function by protecting your brain from oxidation and inflammation. They are found in berries, teas, dark chocolate, and coffee.

Here are two especially potent flavonoid antioxidants you want to add to your diet:

• Resveratrol: You can find resveratrol in cocoa, red wine, and the skins of grapes and blueberries. As a strong antioxidant, its anti-ageing superpowers include boosting cardiovascular health, protecting skin, and defence against cancer, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases.
• Fisetin: Recent studies with mice found that the anti-ageing antioxidant fisetin increases lifespan by about 10 percent and improves the quality of life with age

*Article adapted from Dave Asprey.