Juice can be a delicious way of packing in certain nutrients your body needs that you may not get on a daily basis. And not only does it taste great, but it’s a quick and easy way to take your nutrients on the go!
Keeping in mind that some store-bought juice drinks can contain high levels of added sugar, you can find plenty of fresh juice that is 100% natural with no additives to help you stay healthy.
More specifically, certain types of juice can slow the aging process and help your body as it experiences age-related changes. Continue reading to learn more about the specific types of juice that can improve your aging process, and for more on how to eat healthy, don’t miss The #1 Best Juice to Drink Every Day, Says Science.
1 Pomegranate juice
Pomegranates are teeming with antioxidants, like polyphenols, that can help lower inflammation, fight cancer, and lower blood pressure levels. On top of these benefits, pomegranates have also been known to have a unique effect on your body’s aging cells.
After the age of 50, your cells begin to struggle with the recycling of mitochondria, which directly impacts the strength of your muscles. Not only that, but if your body is unable to recycle mitochondria quickly enough, they may build up and increase your risk of serious diseases like Parkinson’s.
Pomegranates contain a molecule that your gut microbiome converts to something called urolithin A, a compound that can help keep your mitochondrial process healthy. However, it’s important to note that some individuals may have gut flora that is not able to convert this compound, meaning that pomegranate juice wouldn’t have much of an effect.
2 Carrot juice
Carrots contain numerous antioxidants that can benefit your health as you age. For instance, carrots are rich in lutein, which is known to help improve eye and brain health.
Carrots are rich in another antioxidant called beta carotene, which is an antioxidant that your body can actually use to turn into vitamin A. A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that beta carotene may have the ability to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer in younger men.
3 Beet juice
Some people love it, some people hate it, but beetroot juice is a powerful drink for helping to slow the aging process.
A study from Redox Biology found that those who drank beet juice had more prominent levels of a specific type of bacteria that helps with cognitive and vascular health than the participants who had the placebo drink. These participants also showed a drop in blood pressure levels after drinking the beet juice.
These results are due to the high concentration of nitrates found in beets, which are helpful in keeping your blood vessels healthy while also improving cognitive function as you age.
4 Pink grapefruit juice
Carotenoids are compounds that give fruits and vegetables their natural coloring, and as we mentioned above, carrots contain a type of carotenoid that helps slow aging. Pink grapefruits also contain a carotenoid, one that is called lycopene.
Lycopene (which is also found in tomatoes and watermelon) is known to have numerous health benefits and has even been found to improve the appearance of your skin. Research published in Food Science & Nutrition found that lycopene had “rejuvenating” effects on the skin of middle-aged participants in the study.
Another study published in the American Journal of Nutrition concluded that lycopene can both lower LDL cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol levels as well, important factors in supporting heart health, which is key as you age since cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality in America.
5 Wheatgrass juice
Let’s be honest, wheatgrass juice tastes pretty awful. But the health benefits and anti-aging properties are well worth the grassy flavors.
Wheatgrass is extremely high in chlorophyll, the compound that makes many plants green. When consumed, chlorophyll has been found to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which can help lower the risk of disease and improve overall health in older adults.
Chlorophyll is also known to have chemoprotective properties (protects your body from the negative side effects of chemotherapy) because of its ability to reduce the bioavailability of carcinogens (something that can cause cancer) in your body.
