Among all the nutrients linked to healthy aging, antioxidants may be the most potent. These minerals have broad effects throughout the body that can help individuals maintain their youthful feeling.

They are present in just about all fruits and vegetables and may include traditional vitamins like C and E, as well as less well known minerals like lycopene, flavonoids and polyphenols. These nutrients fight off the effects of free-radicals, which are produced by the body during metabolic activities and have been shown to damage tissue.

"We know about antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities of foods, but we suspect there could be so much more going on beyond attacking free radicals that promote health and ward off disease," Susan Moores, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, told The Canadian.

Darker colored fruits and vegetables like grapes, oranges and collard greens are among the best sources of these critical nutrients. Incorporating more of these foods into a regular diet may be one of the keys to healthy aging. This may be particularly important at this time, with millions of individuals from the baby boomer generation getting set to hit retirement age.