We’ve all seen those late-night infomercials touting the next big anti-aging miracle cream that promises to remove twenty years’ worth of wrinkles in under five minutes. Rather than spending hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, on a cream or medical procedure that may or may not work, you can invest in a simple alternative.
The answer lies in the foods we consume every day. There’s no magic fix for younger looking skin, but that doesn’t mean we can’t slow the visible effects of aging.
Our bodies look and feel their best when we eat healthy, nutritious foods. Two major causes of prematurely aged skin are inflammation and dehydration. Inflammatory foods are high in sugar, trans fat and may also contain artificial sweeteners. Sensitivity to dairy and gluten can also cause inflammation and should be discussed with your doctor. You can reduce inflammation in your body today by increasing your intake of these five foods in your diet.
1. Water
Have you ever had beef jerky as a snack? It’s dry and tough. On the other hand, a fresh ribeye steak is moist and juicy. The difference is that the jerky is dehydrated. The same thing happens to our skin when we don’t drink enough water. Skin looks younger when you drink more water because skin cells stay hydrated. In addition, water helps flush out toxins that may cause skin to age prematurely. Try to drink at least half a gallon of water a day, and try to work up to half your bodyweight in ounces of water.
2. Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables are one of the best ways to achieve younger looking skin. Vitamin A, which can be found in many vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes and squash, can aid in reducing wrinkles and brown spots.
Broccoli and cauliflower are strong sources of anti-aging vitamin C. Aim to incorporate leafy greens into your diet to help slow the aging process. Eating your vegetables raw or lightly steamed is the best way to ensure you’re getting optimal nutrients from your veggies.
3. Fruits
Vitamin C reduces sun damage and can repair collagen, which is the foundation of good skin. This important nutrient is found in high doses in citrus fruits, but blackberries, strawberries, papaya and kiwi are also great sources.
4. Nuts
Nuts and seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds contain vitamin E, which keeps your skin glowing and healthy-looking.
Most nuts, almonds especially, reduce inflammation that can cause skin to look older prematurely. Eating nuts and seeds is a great healthy snack option that also has anti-aging properties.
5. Fish
Eating fish is a great way to keep skin supple and reduce dry spots and blemishes. That’s because fish, like salmon and tuna, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help strengthen skin cell membranes and protect skin against sun damage. Fish also offers the added benefit of amino acids, which can help rebuild and repair damage.
All of these foods contain antioxidants, which help your cells protect against free radicals. Think of free radicals as little blades that cut and damage cells. Antioxidants help repair this cell damage more quickly. Selenium, which can be found in both fish and nuts, can also help protect against free radical damage and prevent skin cancer.
- Need help making better food choices when you shop? Check out our tips for healthier grocery shopping.
Anti-Aging Foods Offer Additional Benefits
The health benefits of incorporating these 5 best anti-aging foods into your diet aren’t just limited to younger looking skin. When you drink more water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and absorb healthy fats from fish and nuts, you may notice that you have more energy and that your overall wellness has improved. Eating well can even play a role in disease prevention.
For younger-looking skin, don’t rely solely on the anti-aging creams sold today. Drink water and incorporate these healthy foods daily to slow the aging process from the inside out.
Looking for meal and workout ideas to keep you aging well? Check out our free guide, complete with a meal and fitness tracker below!
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