You are what you eat (Part 2)

April 16, 2009
The Straits Times
Poon Chian Hui
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Foods that keep you young

Keeping youthful the natural way is not all that difficult- you just have to eat the right foods. Anti-ageing foods like berries and fish contain pwerful ingredients that can help keep you in the pink of health from inside out.

Foods that keep us yong include:

• Green tea
• Tomatoes
• Nuts and seeds
• Yogurt
• Salmon and other oily fish
• Berries
• Olive oil

Foods that are high in fat or sugar can cause premature ageing.

1. Glycemic index
   An indicator of the impact of foods on blood glucose levels. Foods with low glycemic index, like vegetables, have carbohydrates that are digested more slowly. High glycemic index foods, like white bread, have carbohydrates that are broken down into sugars more quickly. This causes a spike in blood glucose levels, which is unhealthy.
   
2. Monosaturated fat
   A healthy unsaturated fat found in plants or plant-based foods. It is said to be able to reduce the risk of heart disease. Found in foods like olive oil, avocados (above) and nuts.
   
3. Omega-3 fatty acids
   Unsaturated fatty acids. Usually found in fish and nuts, they help to lower cholestrol levels to protect the body against heart diseases.
   
4. Probiotics
   A class of beneficial bacteria that aids digestion, promotes "good" bacteria and reduces "bad" bacteria in the digestive system. Can be found in yogurt.