AOk for anti-ageing

Anti-ageing is a big business, millions are spent every year on moisturising creams and cosmetic surgery. Fortunately, there is a cheaper, safer and more natural alternative: a healthy diet packed with antioxidant-rich foods and plenty of water can help slow down the ageing process.

AOk contains an effective combination of natural ingredients that can help fight the ageing process. Our in-house nutritionist, Stuart Roberts, explains.

How does it work?

It is now widely known that free radicals are bad for you, yet few people realise how completely they dictate our health and accelerate the ageing process. Free radicals are constantly produced and continually attack every tissue in the body. If we become overwhelmed by their numbers and do not have sufficient antioxidants to limit this damage we are more prone to developing medical conditions and will age faster. This ageing does not just happen internally but shows in the condition of the skin. One of the most reactive free radicals is a Hydroxyl Radical. These are incredibly active and attack almost every molecule in the body. Excessive radiation from the sun causes the production of these free radicals in the water molecules of the skin and they set about breaking down the collagen, making the skin less elastic, and thus producing wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Ensuring that you get a good amount of antioxidants from your diet is essential in keeping these free radicals under control. Lots of multi-coloured fruit and vegetables is a great way to do it;  another good way is from the juices of these foods. AOk contains a combination of cherry juice, aloe vera juice, ginger juice and red grape juice. Each is an effective antioxidant in its own right and in combination they provide an exceptionally powerful antioxidant drink that will provide the daily boost your body needs to keep you looking younger for longer.     

Here is our list of top five anti-ageing food and drinks, as recommended by our in-house nutritionist Stuart Roberts:

Avocado: an alkalising food that is packed with good fats. They are high in vitamin E, which is great for glowing skin and shining hair – and keeping those wrinkles at bay! We recommend an Italian favourite, ‘Tricolore’, for a delicious, light dinner: avocado, mozzarella and good quality plum tomatoes.

Cherry: Cherries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins, which provide the distinctive colour of AOk. The rich, red pigments are known as flavonoids, which numerous studies suggest possess powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties making them an ideal natural beauty solution.

Stuart Roberts, our nutritionist, says: “The antioxidant properties of tart cherries (used in AOk) are amazing and help to contribute to the drink’s exceptional antioxidant abilities in industry standard tests. These cherries have amongst the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit and provide a unique combination of antioxidants that are not found in other fruits”.

Red grape: there is a reason why red wine gets such good press! Red grapes are bursting with flavour, vitamin C and antioxidants (which combat free radicals). Vitamin C helps with blood circulation and the flow of minerals and salts throughout the body: helping you to feel and look healthier. While studies show red wine offers numerous protective benefits, grape juice also provides the majority of these effects without the risks of alcohol consumption. Stuart Roberts explains: “Grapes contain beneficial compounds called flavonoids, which are phytonutrients that give the vibrant purple colour to AOk; the stronger the colour, the higher the concentration of flavonoids”.

Flavonoid compounds in red grapes include quercitin and resveratrol. Both compounds appear to decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing platelet clumping and harmful blood clots and protect good cholesterol levels. Resveratrol has also been shown in numerous studies to target and destroy cancer cells and acts as a preventative agent against prostate, lung, liver and breast cancer. Other studies have shown resveratrol to have anti-ageing properties and to be effective in preventing Alzheimer's and heart disease.

Ginger: this little natural wonder helps with digestion and is essential for a healthy body. Ginger keeps bowel movement in shape, thereby enabling good gut health, which helps you feel better from the inside-out. Have a bottle of AOk or try grating some fresh ginger into a cup of boiling water with a dash of lemon juice and a spoonful of honey on a cold day.

Water: essential to life. Water flushes out the toxins from the body and provides fluidity for the flow of blood. Try to drink at least eight glasses of clean, pure, water each day.