Wrinkles, dull skin and tired eyes are showing up on faces far younger than they used to, and doctors increasingly point to modern lifestyle habits, poor diets, rising stress and disturbed sleep as the reason ageing now begins so early. Dr Saleem Zaidi says a handful of simple, inexpensive kitchen ingredients, eaten in the right order and the right way each day, can meaningfully slow this process down. He has laid out three separate morning and post meal remedies that work together to support the body from the inside.
Kalonji, Fenugreek Seeds and Black Chickpeas
The first remedy calls for soaking kalonji, fenugreek seeds and black chickpeas together in water overnight and eating them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Kalonji contains a compound called thymoquinone, which helps reduce inflammation in the body, and according to Dr Saleem Zaidi, inflammation is exactly what accelerates the ageing process. Fenugreek seeds help keep blood sugar under control while also supporting gut health. Black chickpeas, meanwhile, are one of the richest plant based sources of protein, and that protein helps strengthen bones and keep skin firmer. The exact measurements Dr Saleem Zaidi recommends are a quarter teaspoon of kalonji, one small teaspoon of fenugreek seeds and one tablespoon of black chickpeas, all soaked together in a single glass of water overnight. The next morning, all three should be eaten on an empty stomach, along with the water they were soaked in.
Soaked Dry Fruits: What to Eat and When
About fifteen to twenty minutes after the first remedy, Dr Saleem Zaidi recommends a second, separate combination of soaked dry fruits. The night before, five almonds, one walnut, five raisins and one dried fig should each be soaked in their own separate glass of water. Walnuts are considered excellent for brain health, while dried figs are described as a strong combination of iron, fibre and potassium. Raisins contain natural antioxidants that fight free radicals, which in turn helps slow down ageing, and almonds are rich in vitamin E, which is considered beneficial for the skin. In the morning, the almonds should be peeled before eating, and the water from all the soaked dry fruits should be drunk. One important caution is that the water used to soak the walnut and the almonds should not be drunk, since it contains anti nutrients that can work against the intended benefits.
Fennel, Cumin and Carom Seeds After Meals
The third remedy works differently from the first two because it is meant to be taken after meals rather than on an empty stomach. Fennel seeds, cumin seeds and carom seeds are lightly roasted and kept ready, and one teaspoon of this mix should be chewed thoroughly after eating. Dr Saleem Zaidi explains that roughly ninety percent of illnesses originate from problems in the stomach, and when gut health suffers, the effects show up on the skin before almost anywhere else. However expensive the cream or skincare product being used, he says, ageing will keep progressing at the same pace if digestion inside the body is not working properly. That is why this post meal mix of fennel, cumin and carom seeds is recommended, specifically to improve digestive capacity over time.
