21 POWERFUL FOODS TO KEEP YOU LOOKING YOUNG

Every time you eat is an opportunity to nourish your body.

Packed with vitamins A, C and E, sweet potatoes help maintain a smooth, clear complexion and strong, healthy hair by boosting the production of collagen.

On top of this, it's a fantastic source of dietary fibre for a healthy digestive system as well containing an array of other health-promoting nutrients such as manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, vitamin B1 potassium and vitamin B6.

Sweet potatoes are delicious either baked, or fried-up in coconut oil with Himalayan Salt to create a tasty and healthy, fried chip.

Blueberries have one of the highest sources of antioxidants of commonly consumed fruit and vegetables.

With such a high antioxidant count, blueberries are exceptionally helpful in boosting the immune system, keeping your body healthy and fighting off age related stress.

Blueberries are also high in vitamin C, a key nutrient that helps produce collagen to heal the skin and maintain its elasticity.

Our Tropeaka Immunity Blend is packed full of the three primary sources of antioxidants

Our Tropeaka Immunity Blend is packed full of the three primary sources of antioxidants, which are phytochemicals, vitamins, and enzymes. This blend also contains key co-factors that aid in the absorption of these antioxidants, including selenium, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron.

Extensive research suggests the stronger your immune system remains over time, the less effect the natural ageing process has on your body. The potent mix of vitamins and minerals in Immunity helps support the production of collagen while giving you healthy, glowing skin.

Watermelon is full of water; an essential nutrient that not only keeps us alive but also ensures our skin stays hydrated and healthy. Eating super hydrating foods like watermelon keeps us looking and feeling vibrant,  and helps minimise wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Broccoli is yet another food that needs no introduction to its powerful health benefits. But one interesting fact you may not know is that broccoli contains sulforaphane. This anti-cancer compound also helps with liver detoxification.

Detoxification is key to staying young, as the build-up of toxins and waste within the body weakens our immune systems and deteriorates the overall performance of all our organs and other internal systems. This sub-optimal internal environment leads to an increased rate of ageing.

Just half a cup of broccoli will provide you will 2/3 of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C, in addition to its powerful cancer-fighting and detoxifying properties.

The good fats in avocados have the unique ability to fight off free-radical damage within our mitochondria. Healthy mitochondria are so important, as they are the engine room of our body, turning our food into energy.

As it targets the source of cell damage, the avocado is a particularly powerful anti-ageing treat.

The use of coconut for health and beauty has been studied carefully in recent years. It has been shown that coconut and its oil are both incredibly versatile in providing a range of beauty benefits. From taming frizz to moisturising dry skin, coconut ranks as one of the best foods for helping you stay young.

Here’s an article that has a range of treatments for healing dry skin, strengthening weak hair and boosting the body’s overall immunity with coconut oil.

Brazilians have been eating acai berries for centuries to treat digestive disorders and skin conditions.

Acai’s power in treating skin conditions comes from its high ORAC value, which is a measure of a food’s level of antioxidants. Meanwhile, its digestive benefits are due to its strong detoxification properties and its high dietary fibre content.

The huge antioxidant content is behind Acai's reputation as a powerful anti-ageing Superfood.  A high antioxidant intake assists in with slowing and reversing the

Camu Camu is also a powerful anti-inflammatory which can rejuvenate, heal and restore health to your skin

Camu Camu is a true power-fruit grown deep in the Amazon Rainforest. It is the highest known source of natural vitamin C, with up to 60 times more vitamin C than oranges. Camu Camu is also a powerful anti-inflammatory which can rejuvenate, heal and restore health to your skin.

Tropeaka’s Camu Camu has a refreshing and natural citrus flavour and can be added to your drinks and smoothies each day.

Not only did spinach keep Pop-Eye strong, but it also keeps your hair strong. The combination of vitamin A, C, beta-carotene and folate contained in spinach works together to fight against brittle and damaged hair.

Another great green option for your hair is kale, which has a similar combination of nutrients, so why not throw both in a green juice or salad every day?

Guava is another exotic fruit that supports glowing skin and hair, amongst many other anti-ageing health benefits. This is all down to its high vitamin C count of 377mg per cup, which is up to 4 times more than citrus fruits.

Guava is a great tasting fruit snack, so avoid purchasing any sugary and artificial guava juices and get your hands on the real fruit instead. Juice it at home or enjoy it in its whole form.

Just like watermelon, celery is a water-dense food which will provide hydration and nutrients to your skin and other organs. Another age-related issue that celery helps prevent is the degeneration of your vision with its high vitamin A content.  Adding fresh celery to your daily juice is a simple yet effective step towards achieving many long-term health benefits.

This green leafy vegetable, also known as Swiss Chard is packed full of beta-carotenes which are known to balance your skin’s pH levels, helping to fight-off dryness, as well as replenish and grow new cells. All this results in silkier, smoother, and younger-looking skin.

Not only does ginger pack a powerful punch of antioxidants, but it’s also a great anti-inflammatory that can help reduce aches and pains throughout the body.

According to The Journal of Pain, muscle soreness brought on by eccentric exercise is reduced in the short-term when ginger is taken.

One of the ways we allow our bodies to age quicker is by not getting enough sleep. Studies show that a lack of sleep is linked to chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.

For those struggling to get enough sleep, one natural (and delicious) solution is to eat more cherries. Cherries are packed full of melatonin, a human neurotransmitter found in plant foods, which improves sleep quality and duration.

If you're feeling a little worn out, try increasing your intake of kidney beans. This protein-packed legume is also high in iron, which is a vital mineral for carrying oxygen from our lungs throughout the entire body. Unlike red meat, which also contains iron, kidney beans are low calories and high in fibre, making them a great inclusion in any meal.

Iron also helps our muscles store and use oxygen, so if you're low in iron, you can often feel fatigued and tired. This extra fatigue puts more stress on your body, which can have a negative impact on your youthful and vibrant appearance.

Bonus tip: Kidney beans are best cooked in a pressure cooker to remove the anti-nutrient lectin.

Resveratrol is a compound found in the skin of red grapes, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that help keep your skin looking young.

It also has two other great benefits, including reducing oxidative stress to prevent the premature ageing of cells, as well as protecting your skin from harmful UV radiation damage that can result in skin cancer.

Quinoa and other grains such as Amaranth are excellent sources of protein, which provide a slow-release of energy that keeps the body full and satisfied for longer.

Those that switch from refined-grains to more nutrient dense superfood grains with high amounts of dietary fibre, such as quinoa, are less likely to face obesity, diabetes and other long-term chronic diseases that can age us quickly.

Lycopene is what makes tomatoes red, and it's also an effective antioxidant that shields your skin from excessive sun exposure. It's essentially like a sunscreen that works from the inside out, allowing you to reap the full benefits of the sun, while also protecting your skin from any harmful UV damage from overexposure.

Flax seeds are a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids and are a great anti-inflammatory food. Omega-3 fatty acids nourish your hair follicles for stronger, shinier hair.

On top of this, flax is one of the best sources of dietary fibre on a gram-by-gram basis and is used in the treatment of IBS and other digestive problems. It's also a very convenient superfood to add to your salads and smoothies.

Do you want to feel great all the way down to your bones? Well, you better make sure you’re taking care of your bones! This is where sesame seeds can help. These tasty yet powerful little seeds are not only high in calcium, but they are also rich in iron, magnesium, phosphorous, copper and fibre. Sprinkling sesame seeds or trickling tahini on to your salads is a recipe for healthy bones, reduced inflammation and a healthier heart.

WHY STOP AT 21? HERE ARE SOME BONUS FOODS!

Yes, that's right - chocolate is healthy. However, not all chocolate is created equal. If it's anti-ageing health benefits you're after, then you'll have to make the switch from dairy milk to chocolate to a plant-based dark variety. Dark chocolate is loaded with flavanols, which will increase the blood flow to your skin. This naturally occurring antioxidant also absorbs UV radiation to protect your skin from sun damage.

Not only are nuts a great source of plant-based protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and micronutrients, but they also have amazing anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. So no matter which nut you prefer, they are all little anti-ageing powerhouses. They are also a great on-the-go healthy snack! Our favourites are walnuts, pecans, macadamias and brazil nuts!

Two of the best ways to look and feel young, are to sleep well and feel happy. Rich in whole-food carbohydrates and tryptophan, a bowl of oatmeal will boost your body's feel-good hormone - serotonin. Hearty and soothing, oatmeal is delicious and totally guilt-free. A small bowl of oats before bed can also ward off insomnia and ensure you get your beauty sleep!

Tropeaka’s Ultra Cleanse is a scientifically designed blend which helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins

Tropeaka’s Ultra Cleanse is a scientifically designed blend which helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins while replenishing the body with the key nutrients needed for optimal long-term health.

The superfoods in the Ultra Cleanse Blend include Wheat Grass, Barley Grass and Spirulina, which are powerful nutrient-dense foods that contain high amounts of the green pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is instrumental in photosynthesis, and it neutralises toxins in the body, turning them into harmless compounds that can be disposed of by the lymphatic system.

Eliminating toxic build-up will keep your body looking (and feeling) vibrant and youthful. Ultra Cleanse contains Bentonite Clay, which has been used in traditional cultures for centuries to remove toxins from the body.

The body can not digest Bentonite Clay. This unique feature allows it to pass through the digestive tract and bind to positively charged toxins and removes them, alongside the clay, from your body.

Are you feeling hungry for a more youthful energy and appearance? Go and load up your plate with the delicious and nutritious age-defying foods from this list. Not just today, though! To receive the full long-term benefits of these foods, they must be worked into a holistic, healthy lifestyle - complete with movement, mindfulness and moderation!