The population of the “oldest old” is expected to triple soon, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. So what really counts when it comes to enjoying this extra time on Earth? The answer is, forgive the pun, a no-brainer: to have full use of your mental abilities and to be free of disabling neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Antioxidants can help with this, as they assist in preventing the cell damage that happens naturally as our bodies age, so we can maintain optimum health within our brains and other vital organs.
Below is a recipe for a healthy smoothie chock-full of antioxidants. Spinach is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene, the three major antioxidant vitamins. The greener the leaves, the more Vitamin C a head tends to contain. While many fruits contain antioxidants, berries like the ones below generally contain them in the highest concentrations.
With only one gram of fat and 69 calories per serving, drinking one of these smoothies per day will put you well on your way towards meeting your Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin C and E, plus D, as each glass contains between 8 and 20 percent of each RDI.
Super Antioxidant Smoothie
This simple smoothie provides a wide range of antioxidants and plenty of sweetness to balance and carry the spinach.
Makes 2 servings
Tip: Almond milk is available in a variety of flavours, but be sure to choose plain almond milk for this recipe.
- Blender
- 1 cup (250 mL) loosely packed baby spinach
- 1 cup (250 mL) frozen cherries, blueberries or blackberries
- 1 cup (250 mL) plain almond milk
1. In blender, purée spinach, cherries and almond milk until smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.
Health Tip: In addition to being high in protein, almond milk is an excellent source of Vitamin E, an important antioxidant that plays a role in supporting normal heart and brain function, as well as in promoting a healthy complexion.
Courtesy of Keep Your Brain Young: A Health & Diet Program for Your Brain Including 150 Recipes
by Dr. Fraser Smith & Dr. Ellie Aghdassi, 2014 © www.robertrose.ca. Reprinted with publisher permission.
[su_panel background=”#f2f2f2″ color=”#000000″ border=”0px none #ffffff” shadow=”0px 0px 0px #ffffff”]Dr. Fraser Smith, BA, ND, is a naturopathic doctor who trained at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario. He completed his residency at CCNM and was a clinical supervisor and faculty member. He is currently the chief academic officer for the ND program at the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) in Lombard, Illinois, serving as Assistant Dean for Naturopathic Medicine in its College of Professional Studies. He is registered to practice naturopathic medicine in Ontario and licensed as a naturopathic physician in Vermont.Dr. Ellie Aghdassi, Ph.D., RD, is the Program Manager for the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA). She is also an Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Aghdassi is an affiliated scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute, a registered dietitian and a Senior Scientific Associate at the University Health Network. She resides in Toronto, Ontario.
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