ANTI-AGING SMOOTHIES

Anti-aging research is a multibillion-dollar industry, and as baby boomers start to surpass middle age and head into their golden years, the search for youth-restoring elixirs and techniques to stay youthful is progressing at a frenzied pace. What the research is finding is nothing short of incredible. Many of the diseases and conditions that people have come to accept as unavoidable effects of aging are actually caused by poor diets, environmental toxins, lack of proper exercise, or other controllable factors.

One of the best ways to combat both age-related diseases and the physical signs of aging is to follow a healthful diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Try to eat a variety of colors, because each color group offers different vitamins and phytonutrients. Shoot especially for greens, reds, and purples, because they’re the richest in free radical-fighting antioxidants. Get a good daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids as well. They’re great for your brain, your skin, your heart, and just about every other part of you, and can be found in nuts, fish, seafood, and produce such as avocados and leafy greens.

Here are a few terrific smoothie recipes that will help keep you looking and feeling young!

Plum Yummy

Plums are an anti-aging superfood; they are proven to help with iron absorption, and the vitamin C gives a nice boost to your immune system. Finally, the antioxidants in this smoothie help fight cancer as well as wrinkles and other signs of aging.

• 1/2 cup water • 1 plum, pitted • 2 kiwis, peeled • 2 cups spinach

• 6 mint leaves, plus 1 for garnish • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

Add the water, plum, and kiwis to your blender, and pulse for a few seconds. Add the spinach, mint, and ginger, and puree. Garnish with a mint leaf and enjoy!

Yield: About 2 cups.

The Dish on Ginger

The Good: Ginger has been used for centuries as a digestive aid and to relieve symptoms of arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help protect you from heart disease, cancer, and other conditions. In addition, the gingerol it contains has actually been proven to cause cell death in ovarian cancer cells.

The Bad: Ginger has a strong flavor and is difficult to cut. Use it sparingly until you learn how much is enough.

Youthful Italiana

This delicious smoothie is reminiscent of spaghetti sauce. The beta-carotene in the tomatoes, kale, and pepper is great for your eyes, and the antioxidants in all of the ingredients help fight wrinkles. Garlic is known to fight off disease, and basil is rich in calcium. Kale is also a good source of brain-healthful omega-3s.

• 1 tomato • 1 clove garlic • 1 green bell pepper, de-stemmed

• 3 basil leaves • 2 kale leaves

If this smoothie is a bit too thick, just add water. It can work equally well for lunch or dinner. As a matter of fact, if you’d like to leave it a bit thick, it’s great as a chilled soup.

Yield: About 2 cups.

Super Berry Freshee

The berries in this smoothie provide antioxidants that help maintain memory and brain function while fighting off wrinkles and disease. Bananas are a great source of potassium and vitamin B6, both of which offer valuable antiaging benefits. Finally, the resveratrol and other nutrients in the grapes add a final age-fighting punch. This smoothie tastes fresh and delicious, too.

• 1 banana, peeled • 5 strawberries, capped, plus 1 strawberry for garnish

• 1/4 cup blueberries • 4 kiwis, peeled • 1 small cucumber, quartered • 1/4 cup water

Toss all ingredients in your blender and puree until smooth. Pour into glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Yield: About 4 cups.

Apple of Popeye’s Eye

This one’s about as green as it gets. The antioxidants, vitamin A, calcium, and folate in this smoothie make it an anti-aging powerhouse, promoting good vision, brain health, and urinary tract health, just to name a few of its benefits. After drinking this smoothie, you’ll feel like a spring chicken!

• 1 green apple, cored and quartered • 6 asparagus tips

• 2 cups spinach • 1 cucumber, quartered • 1/2 cup water

Add the apple and asparagus to the blender, and pulse until they are in chunks. Toss in the remaining ingredients, and puree until it reaches the desired texture. This one may be a little chewy and will keep you full for hours.

Yield: About 3 1/2–4 cups.

The Mr. Ed Special

It’s no wonder horses love this stuff: packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that help fight cancer, promote good eyesight and digestion, and help keep you mentally sharp, it’s a glass of amazing!

• 1 carrot with greens • 1 green apple, cored and quartered

• 1/2 cup water • 1 small cucumber, quartered • 6 mint leaves

Blend the carrot, apple, and water on the “chop” setting, then toss in the cucumber and mint leaves. Puree to the consistency you prefer.

Yield: About 2 cups.

Cranberry Watermelon Smoothie

Bursting with phytonutrients and minerals, this hydrating drink is good for everything from kidney health to cancer prevention. The watermelon makes it really juicy and just a bit sweet, while the beet adds its own mild but distinctive flavor. The deep red color is visually appealing, too.

• 1 beet, with or without greens • 1 cup cranberries

• 1 cup watermelon • 1/2 cup water

Pulse the beet first, then add the berries. Finish up with the watermelon and water, and enjoy.

Yield: About 2 cups.

Beeting Wrinkles

Beets contain an eclectic collection of antioxidants, including betalain, beta-carotene, and vitamin C, making this nutritious as well as tasty and beautiful. This smoothie will help you fight aging on all fronts, from disease prevention to fighting wrinkles. The beets also add a mildly sweet flavor.

• 1 small sweet potato • 1 beet, with or without greens

• 1 carrot with greens • 1 cucumber, quartered

Cut the sweet potato into 1-inch cubes.

Pulse your sweet potato and beet first, then add the carrot and cucumber. Once you get past the fact that the taste doesn’t match the color, you’ll really enjoy this juice!

Yield: About 3 cups.

Antioxidant Punch

This is a cancer-preventing, wrinkle-fighting heavy-weight with a light, mildly fruity flavor.

• 2 stalks celery • 2 broccoli florets • 1 cup blueberries

• 1 banana, peeled • 1 cucumber, quartered

Pulse the celery and broccoli, then add the rest of the ingredients. Blend and enjoy!

Yield: About 2 cups.

The Dish on Broccoli

The Good: Broccoli is high in antioxidant vitamins A and C, folic acid, calcium, and phytochemicals that can help you lose weight, look younger, and avoid disease.

The Bad: Raw broccoli contains goitrogens that can interfere with thyroid function if you already have issues, so if you have a history of thyroid concerns, you may want to lightly steam your broccoli before eating it.

Fine Line Wine

This is a fantastic smoothie for breakfast—start your day with an antioxidant wallop!

• 1/2 cup blueberries • 1/2 cup blackberries • 1/2 cup raspberries • 1/2 cup strawberries, capped

• 1 apple, cored and quartered • 1/2 cup red grapes

This one’s easy—just blend and enjoy.

Yield: About 2 cups.

Looking Berry Young Smoothie

Antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, in this smoothie help destroy wrinkle-causing, disease-feeding free radicals, while the probiotics in the yogurt help you maintain good digestive health. It tastes “berry” delicious, too!

• 1 cup blueberries • 1 cup raspberries • 1 cup strawberries, capped

• 1 cup pomegranate seeds • 1/2 cup plain yogurt

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!

Yield: About 2 cups.