No one knows for sure whether or not Juan Ponce de León was really after the so-called “Fountain of Youth,” when he set sail for the island of Bimini – an uncharted land in what we now know as the Bahamas.
Eventually, this rugged explorer landed in Florida and made his claim for the Spanish Crown.
It has been recently disputed that what Ponce was really after was not the fountain of longevity but rather political gain. In fact, his name was not even associated with the Fountain of Youth until many years after his death. However, the legend lives on and brings great capital gain for the State of Florida, most notably the city of St. Augustine, where the fountain is thought to be.
Longevity continues to be big business in America today – the dream that anything is possible, even reversing our internal clocks, drives millions of aging people to seek out sometimes drastic measures to reduce the signs of aging. Plastic surgery, botox and other invasive procedures bring high dollar and high risk.
The key to aging, however, does not rest on some procedure or pill mixture we can cake on our body, but rather on achieving internal balance and health. The overall health of the body determines how gracefully we age. What is even more amazing is that your very own Fountain of Youth can be found in your kitchen and won’t break your bank!
Making Your Very Own Fountain of Youth
Water: You lose about 8 glasses of water each day through your skin. Hydration is essential to overall health and wellness. It helps remove toxins, circulates nutrients and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Begin each day with a glass of warm lemon water.
This will help your body remove toxins left over from the day before and aid in digestion. The lemons will provide a valuable dose of vitamin C, which boosts immune function and helps the skin to repair itself. The potassium in the lemon also helps keep free radicals at bay. Drink water freely throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Carrots: Eat organic carrots as you please all day long or enjoy some fresh juiced carrots. These little orange gems contain beta-carotene which slows down aging and also vitamin A which prevents damage from too many UVB rays and stops premature wrinkles in their tracks while balancing out skin tone.
Green Tea: The well-researched benefits of green tea are no longer a secret in America. Enjoying a cup of this flavorful tea on a regular basis will fight free radicals. Amino acids contained in the tea also help to reduce stress,which can accelerate aging. Just a cup or two daily is all that is needed to benefit from this antioxidant rich food. To make a green tea toner, try freezing it in ice cubes and applying to your face (once cubes have thawed a bit).
Berries: Fresh or frozen, berries have tremendous age-defying characteristics. Studies indicate that compounds found in berries prevent damage from oxidation. Mulberries contain resveratrol which is commonly found in wine. This substance is an anti-inflammatory that fights cancer and protects the body from free radical damage.
Watermelon: Everyone’s favorite summer picnic food, watermelon, contains some powerful anti-aging compounds. It is comprised of about 90% water, which is a bonus in itself, but it also contains zinc. Zinc has been shown to be instrumental in helping the body get rid of the toxins that cause premature aging to occur.
Aloe Vera: You can consume aloe vera internally in order to help the skin hydrate, or you can apply it topically and it will act as an exfoliant. Aloe contains an impressive list of compounds including 96% water, 4% amino acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins A, C and E as well as antioxidants, zinc, and superoxide dismutases that are excellent for the skin.
Kiwis: Vitamin C is a powerful force against wrinkles as it is necessary for the production of collagen. Although you can get vitamin C from many sources, kiwis have one of the highest concentrations of any fruit. Enjoy a kiwi each day for healthier and more vital skin.
-The Alternative Daily
