The Key to a Younger Looking Me
There’s some questions that most people will consider at some point in their life – ‘Could what I eat really affect the way that I look? Could changing my eating habits actually make me look more youthful? Fortunately the answer is yes of course it can, in fact, what you put in your mouth can actually take years off your appearance. There are some foods that are packed with anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle agents, you just have to know what they are!
The key to gaining these benefits from our food is down to the antioxidant content. If you’re not aware – Antioxidants are a substance that removes potentially damaging oxidising agents from within a living organism. In other words, they protect us.
So how do antioxidants protect my body?
To understand the importance of antioxidants, knowing the role that they play within the body is crucial for a true appreciation of why they should be included in our diet. Antioxidants are nutrients that can shield your body from the maturing impacts of free radicals, which is a process called oxidation.
Free radicals and their effect
Free radicals are actually created by natural processes within your body and also the environment that your body endures is a contributing factor too — everything from exposure to the sun, tobacco smoke, any chemicals, even working out can have an effect. A free radical is essentially a molecule or atom that has lost one of its electrons and, now unpaired, has become unstable. This precariousness causes it to look for different atoms or molecules (yours) to stabalise it, bringing about a domino effect of molecules and atoms that are susceptible to oxidation in your body.
The reason why this is an issue is because it results in a change in your cells. Your DNA incorporates your body’s biggest organ which is your skin and this can be put under oxidative stress and inflammation which are two major concerns of the ageing process.
There are also other considerations with regards to oxidative stress – it has also been linked with serious diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, strokes, fibromyalgia, eye conditions and general cognitive decline.
Oxidative stress is happening all the time which is why it’s important to have a plan to try and slow down this process and combat it as much as possible. As with anything there are no guarantees and everyone’s body chemistry is different, and thus the effects will be different also, however having a balanced healthy nutrition-full lifestyle can only be a positive. So get started today, or if you’re already on the journey then keep up the good work!
Your nutrition plan
Before we get onto the list of nutrient-rich foods – It’s vital to stay hydrated, and although you do get water from the food consume, you will need to drink about eight glasses of water a day. If you consume decaffeinated drinks then this would also be considered as hydrating both your body and skin. Something to be aware of is that caffeinated drinks can cause dry, dull looking skin.
Try to include these fantastic anti-ageing foods to your daily routine:
Nutrition Tip 1
If you consume a fibre-rich diet with an assortment of fruits and vegetables this will keep you youthful. Foods that are grown in the ground are for the most part low-calorie and can both detoxify and renew your cells.
Nutrition Tip 2
Berries contain the antioxidant anthocyanin which gives berries their blue, red, and purple colours. To get a satisfactory dosage of this powerful cancer prevention agent, eat a lot of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, pomegranate, cherries, acai berries, and blood oranges, to give some examples of the best options. Each of these nourishments has an assortment of other powerful antioxidants which repair and protect your skin’s cells.
Nutrition Tip 3
Broccoli, cranberries, onions and apples all contain Quercetin which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is actually the second most important reason for ageing. Broccoli sprouts actually have 30 times more isothiocyanates than normal broccoli.
Nutrition Tip 4
Spinach, kale and corn all contain copious amounts of Lutein which gives your skin cells increased reinforcement ability and improves skin hydration.
Nutrition Tip 5
Garlic, onions and scallions contain Allium which packs a punch against free-radicals which is useful for your skin and immune system.
Nutrition Tip 6
Beans generally contain Anthocyanin however dark beans and dark soybeans have particularly high amounts. Soybeans are likewise high in isoflavones, which is also connected with anti-ageing properties.
Nutrition Tip 7
Green tea and dark chocolate contain catechins which is another antioxidant that packs a protective punch. You can have a few cups of tea a with lemon and this will boost the antioxidant activity in your cells.
Nutrition Tip 8
Carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and squash contain a lot of beta-carotene which are super-cancer prevention agents and are really beneficial for your skin and eyes.
Nutrition Tip 9
Red grapefruit, tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit are all packed with Lycopene which is an effective weapon against free radicals. It can repress sun-actuated ageing and can neutralise
free radicals. If you can incorporate at least one of these a day it will be a worthwhile change.
Nutrition Tip 10
Eat a modest amount of nuts and seeds a day, say a handful for a snack between meals. They are stacked with “good” fat that plumps your skin, antioxidants and bunches of minerals that are useful for your skin, as well.
Nutrition Tip 11
Salmon is really beneficial for your skin, because of the omega-3s and the high-quality protein. Try to incorporate it regularly into your diet and you will get plumper, more energetic skin if you stick with it.
Nutrition Tip 12
We couldn’t finish the list off without reiterating that eating fruits and vegetables as often as possible will have a marked effect not only on your skin, but on your general health, well-being and mood.
Conclusion
If you find a way (that suits you) to incorporate the healthy foods that you like from this list, then you’re on the road to a healthier, happier, younger-looking you!
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