People are often less concerned about health issues that they can’t see and that don’t affect their daily life, such as high blood pressure. Even though it’s dangerous, if they look good and feel good, it’s often forgotten. Whether it’s about serious conditions like high blood pressure or looking for foods that are anti-aging, you normally find they’re similar. Many of the foods that are anti-aging are also ones that give you more long-lasting energy, so you feel younger, too.
You need foods that protect the skin at a cellular level.
The older you are, the more your skin has been exposed to toxins that can cause oxidation and damage cells. That’s why eating foods that are high in antioxidants can be so beneficial to your appearance. Cells replicate and if the DNA is damaged, either it won’t replicate or will do so, but the damage will continue, making the new cell more vulnerable. When too many skin cells are damaged, the results include skin that looks older. Consuming food with antioxidants, like orange vegetables and fruit, such as sweet potatoes and carrots, provides beta carotene, a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from sun damage.
Foods high in vitamin C are important for another reason.
If you consume foods like red bell peppers or citrus, which is high in vitamin C that promotes collagen production, you’ll have firmer, smoother looking skin. On the other hand, if you eat a diet high in sugar, it will cause you to look older. Sugar speeds up the aging process by increasing the amount of advanced glycation end products, with the ironic acronym AGEs. Those cause skin to lose elastin and collagen, which in turn causes less firm, wrinkled skin. If you have a sweet tooth, try satisfying it with fruit. You’ll also be keeping your calorie intake lower, making weight loss easier.
Have a serving of healthy fat!
Not all fat is healthy. In fact, trans fats are bad for your health. However, foods like avocado, fatty fish and extra virgin olive oil are on the other end of the spectrum, making you look and feel younger. You need healthy fat to create hormones and even to burn fat. Inflammation can make you look older and omega 3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties to prevent that. Eating fish once a week, or even switching to avocado oil can be a big benefit.
- Green tea is an excellent way to energize, but it also has benefits for the skin. One study found that drinking it for 12 weeks promoted elasticity, skin density, more hydration and reduced roughness and scaling.
- Add herbs and spices to your food for even more benefit. The capsaicin in hot peppers can slow age related skin changes. Ginger is also known for its ability to aid in preventing age spots.
- If you want to boost your collagen, use the bones of the chicken, fish or meat you’d normally discard and make bone broth. It’s high in collagen and nutrients. It’s proven to prevent sun damage and increase collagen in the skin.
- Drink more water. Water hydrates the skin, plus will boost your energy level if you’re slightly dehydrated. The older you get; the quicker dehydration can occur. Carry a bottle of water with you.
For more information, contact us today at UpFit Training Academy
