10 Foods That Make You Age Faster & 10 Anti-Aging Ones To Eat Instead
Eat Your Age
What you put inside you has just as much of an impact as the creams and lotions you use on the outside. In fact, some foods are full of antioxidants and nutrients that are known to boost the appearance of skin and streamline cellular repair. Meanwhile, other foods are known to slow down these processes and make you appear older the more you indulge in them. Would you give up these foods just to look younger?
1. Coffee
Coffee is one of those things that many people say they can’t start their day without. While it does have some health benefits if taken in moderation, excess caffeine makes our skin dehydrated and gives it an older look. It also has a high chance of disrupting a good night's sleep if you drink it late in the day, as poor sleep accelerates aging and overall health.
2. French Fries
Fried foods, especially deep-fried, are one of the highest contributors to bad and old-looking skin. They damage collagen and make our skin less elastic and flexible, which results in much older and less maintained-looking skin. Not only that, but most fast food places reuse their oil well past the time it should have been changed, making it even more unhealthy.
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3. White Bread
White bread is a refined carbohydrate that is not good for our bodies in many ways. It can increase blood sugar levels and cause early wrinkles to show up on the skin, as well as inflammation and an increased chance of insulin resistance. It also makes our collagen more rigid and contributes to skin irritation and acne.
4. Barbecue
While barbecue is definitely delicious and a great way to throw a backyard party, charred meats can damage our skin cells and cause inflammation. While this is a very slow process that happens over a long period of time, it does promote aging nonetheless. Barbecued foods are usually also high in sodium and preservatives, both of which dehydrate our skin and make it look older.
5. Spicy Foods
Spicy foods can expand blood vessels if eaten too frequently. While lots of people love and eat spicy food daily, it doesn’t change the fact that it can cause chronic inflammation and worsen skin health. These things cause accelerated signs of aging, which are accompanied by circles under the eyes.
6. Bacon
Processed meats like bacon are extremely high in sodium and preservatives, which are some of the main things causing inflammation. This type of food also damages our cells and skin tissues, leading to saggy and wrinkled skin and a much older look. This amount of salt also causes other health problems that further contribute to faster aging.
7. Donuts
Foods that are high in sugar, for instance, donuts, can cause insulin spikes and skin damage. Excessive amounts of sugar, which is more often than not found in these types of foods, interfere with our skin's firmness and elasticity, which leads to wrinkles and uneven skin complexion. Sugars also feed the bad bacteria in our gut that further worsen our skin conditions.
8. Potato Chips
Potato chips are usually loaded with high levels of sodium, which leads to dehydration of the skin, making it look duller and older. They are also deep-fried in oils that are reused over and over, leading to further cell aging. This directly damages our skin's elasticity and overall healthy look.
9. Fried Chicken
Trans fats found in deep-fried foods are harmful to our blood flow, which can reduce the amount of nutrients and oxygen our skin receives. This directly results in dry and aged-looking skin, making us look older than we are. If that wasn’t bad enough, trans fats also contribute heavily to heart disease and obesity, both of which are directly linked to aging.
10. Alcohol
Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on our body and skin, which leads to a much older look. Wrinkles and lines on our face become much more visible if too much alcohol is consumed. On top of that, breakouts on the skin are much more likely, as well as inflammation and even permanent damage to the texture of our skin.
Now that we talked about foods you’ll want to avoid, here are 10 that can actually help slow down aging and make you appear younger.
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1. Avocados
Rich in healthy fats and high in vitamins E and C, avocados are great for hydrating our skin and making it look more youthful. They are a great way to support our body’s collagen production and directly help with the smoothness of the skin. Avocados also have an anti-inflammatory property, helping the skin look more vibrant and uniform in color and complexion.
2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is packed with antioxidants that help protect our skin's elasticity and reduce inflammation. While it is a fat, it’s a healthy fat that reduces the risk of chronic diseases that are related to aging. It promotes a healthy blood pressure and has the benefit of going well with many dishes.
3. Pumpkin
Loaded with beta-carotene and vitamin A, pumpkins promote skin health and faster skin repair. They are very rich in antioxidants and help our skin look less wrinkly. The fibers found in pumpkins also help with regulating our blood sugar levels and promote good gut health, all of which directly impact the way our skin looks.
4. Carrots
Carrots are a great food for improving our skin's glow and strength. They are rich in vitamin A and antioxidants that help protect our skin when exposed to the sun. Another great thing about carrots is that they promote healthy skin cell repair and help our skin have a more uniform color.
5. Green Tea
Green tea has been used for centuries as a great anti-inflammation drink that helps our skin look and feel healthier. It is a powerful antioxidant that promotes gut health as well. Drinking green tea regularly helps the skin be more elastic, prevents sun damage, promotes better mental health, and supports good blood flow.
6. Pomegranates
Pomegranates are some of the healthiest fruits when it comes to slowing down our skin’s aging process. They promote collagen production and protect our skin from UV damage. On top of that, pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties, which help the skin look younger and vibrant altogether.
7. Salmon
Salmon is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These are directly linked to keeping our skin healthier while reducing inflammation. It’s also a great food that is rich in antioxidants and helps improve our skin tone and elasticity, all while protecting our skin from damage and keeping it well hydrated.
8. Dark Chocolate
A high-quality dark chocolate is rich in nutrients that help protect our skin from sun damage, among other things. It improves our skin's elasticity and hydration, both of which make it look younger and smoother. Dark chocolate also reduces stress levels and is a great ingredient in many drinks or desserts.
9. Flaxseed
Flaxseeds support our skin health in a number of ways. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and lignans, which help protect our skin against the sun and inflammation. It also has amazing health benefits when it comes to our gut, which is linked to more youthful-looking skin.
10. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a wonderfully refreshing way of getting your dose of antioxidants. They are also very rich in vitamin C, which supports collagen production in our bodies. Tomatoes also promote a healthy skin complexion and reduce redness, all while hydrating our skin and making it look more youthful.
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