Eating proper food key to 'elixir of youth'

London: The elixir of youth seems to be no longer just a fabled belief. Eating proper food is the key to looking and feeling up to ten years younger, a leading British expert has claimed.

According to nutritionist Patrick Holford, the entire ageing process, from the first wrinkle to deteriorating memory, depends on oxidation, in which damaging free radicals, the body`s own exhaust fumes, begin to wear down the DNA.

And, the ageing process can be slowed down in just about every system of the body by eating antioxidant nutrients that offset some of the damage that time and lifestyle inflict
on our bodies and minds, he says.

"Studies by the US government`s anti-ageing research department have shown that the amount of antioxidants you maintain in your body is directly proportional to how long you will live," Holford was quoted by `The Times` as saying.

So how do you boost intake?

According to Holford, people need to consume at least the five portions of fruit and vegetables a day but preferably the 8-10 servings suggested by the World Health Organisation to ward off cancer and other diseases.

Moreover, eating less, eating meals slowly and chewing it well, and drinking plenty of water during meals are all key to elixir of youth, he says.

"But not all fresh produce packs the same anti-ageing punch. The antioxidant power of food is measured by its oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) score -- the oldest living people consume at least 6,000 ORACs a day," Holford said.

PTI