Drinking juice is not only a tasty way to supplement your daily nutrient intake but also a convenient way to consume nutrients while on the go. Some types of juice can even help slow down the aging process, providing an extra health benefit. However, it's important to distinguish between different types of juices. Some store-bought juices contain added sugar and fruit concentrate, while others are 100% natural with no added sugar or preservatives. It's crucial to choose all-natural juices to promote healthy aging, as sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. While all-natural juices offer their own unique health benefits, we've compiled a list of juices that are high in age-healthy antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
1) Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants such as polyphenols, which are known to reduce inflammation, fight cancer, and lower blood pressure. In addition to these health benefits, pomegranates can also have a unique impact on the aging of your body's cells.
As you age, your cells struggle to recycle mitochondria, which directly affects the strength of your muscles. Furthermore, if your body is unable to recycle mitochondria efficiently, they may accumulate and increase your risk of serious diseases such as Parkinson's.
The good news is that pomegranates contain a molecule that can be converted by your gut microbiome into a compound called urolithin A, which can help keep your mitochondrial process healthy. However, it's important to note that some individuals may have gut flora that cannot convert this compound, meaning that pomegranate juice may not have much of an effect on them.
2) Carrot Juice
As you age, incorporating carrots into your diet can be beneficial due to the numerous antioxidants they contain. These orange vegetables are a rich source of lutein, which is known to improve eye and brain health. Additionally, carrots are packed with beta carotene, an antioxidant that the body can convert into vitamin A.
The potential health benefits of beta carotene go beyond this, as a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention suggests that it may help lower the risk of prostate cancer in younger men.
3) Beet Juice
Beetroot juice has been found to be a powerful drink for slowing down the aging process. A study published in Redox Biology found that those who consumed beet juice had increased levels of a specific type of bacteria that improves cognitive and vascular health when compared to those who consumed a placebo drink. The participants who drank beet juice also experienced a decrease in blood pressure levels.
This study's results are attributed to the high concentration of nitrates present in beets, which are useful in maintaining healthy blood vessels and enhancing cognitive function during the aging process. The effects of nitrates can be observed in both cooked beets and raw beet juice, but the Journal of Human Hypertension discovered that beet juice had a more significant impact than the cooked form of the root vegetable.
4) Pink Grapefruit Juice
Carotenoids are natural compounds that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colors. Among them, carrots contain a specific carotenoid that has been found to slow down the aging process. Another fruit that contains carotenoids is pink grapefruit, which has a type of carotenoid known as lycopene.
Lycopene is present in other foods such as tomatoes and watermelon and has been linked to a multitude of health benefits, including improving skin appearance. In fact, a study published in Food Science & Nutrition revealed that lycopene had a "rejuvenating" effect on the skin of middle-aged participants.
Furthermore, a study in the American Journal of Nutrition demonstrated that lycopene can help manage cholesterol levels, lowering the LDL (bad) and raising the HDL (good) cholesterol levels. This is particularly important as we age since heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Therefore, incorporating pink grapefruit juice into your diet could help support heart health and slow down aging.
5) Wheatgrass Juice
Although not the tastiest beverage out there, wheatgrass juice offers numerous health benefits and anti-aging properties.
Despite its unappealing taste, wheatgrass contains essential vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoids. These natural substances, commonly found in fruits and vegetables, have been linked to reducing disease risks. Furthermore, wheatgrass is incredibly high in chlorophyll, the compound responsible for making plants green. Studies have shown that chlorophyll has antioxidant properties and can provide chemoprotective benefits by guarding the body against the negative effects of chemotherapy. This is due to its ability to reduce the bioavailability of carcinogens, substances that can lead to cancer, in the body.