There is old saying – You are what you eat. We all have heard this, but don’t give a damn about it until we hit our 30s and notice premature aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines.
Experts believe healthy skin relies on the proper supply of essential nutrients, and for that, you need to follow a balanced diet focusing on some effective anti-aging foods. rnPeople often try to get rid of early aging signs through shortcuts like surgeries and medicines. But, these don’t make for a great choice as they are temporary, unsafe and expensive too. However, if you can follow a balanced diet along with a healthy lifestyle, you can get far better results without any side effect.
Let's look at those factors that are responsible for those annoying wrinkles and other early aging signs.
Main Causes of Wrinkles
Premature aging signs like wrinkles are caused because of several factors. There are some that we can control, while others we can't. These are:
Age: As we get old, our skin gradually becomes more fragile and less elastic. Inappropriate production of natural oils make the skin dry and thus, wrinkles appear. As the fat in the deeper layers of your skin diminishes, skin becomes loose with more pronounced crevices and lines.
Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation: Also known as UV rays, it is one of the main reasons behind those early wrinkles. These harmful rays break down the connective tissues in the skin – collagen and elastin. Because of these damaged tissues, the skin loses strength as well as flexibility. This causes wrinkles and other aging signs to appear.
Smoking: You have probably heard 'smoking is injurious to health' around a million times. If you want to get rid of those wrinkles and other signs of aging, smoking is something you need to quit. This is because studies have found that it can accelerate the aging process not just of your skin, but the whole body.
Facial Expressions: Too much of facial expressions like squinting or smiling can be responsible for fine lines and wrinkles. Excessive use of facial muscles can affect the surface of the skin in a negative way. The skin loses its flexibility with time and becomes unable to get back in place.
Tips to Fight Against Premature Aging Signs
The following ways can help you
keep your skin healthy and delay the aging signs naturally
Protect Skin from UV rays: Protect the skin by minimizing the time you spend under the sun and wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts.
Use Sunscreen: When selecting a sunscreen, make sure that you are purchasing a product with a broad-spectrum protection. It means, goes for a product that can block UVA as well as UVB rays.
Use Moisturizers: Dry skin can damage the skin cells, which can lead to premature aging signs to develop. Although moisturizers can't prevent wrinkles permanently, they hydrate the skin to avoid dryness.
Consult your experts and use the best anti-aging products only
Don't Smoke At All: You still have a chance even if you've smoked for many years. You can still improve your skin condition simply by quitting smoking.
Follow a Balanced Diet: Studies have found that certain vitamins and minerals in your diet can protect your skin to a great extent. So, it is always good to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Anti-Aging Foods That Fight Off Wrinkles
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are way more than just a salad topping. They're loaded with vitamin C, that helps in the production of collagen. This makes the skin look firmer, softer and plumper. Tomatoes also have lycopene, which protects skin from harmful UV rays and also improves your overall vascular system. If you can eat tomatoes regularly for around 6 weeks, you might observe some positive results.
2. Blueberries
Fruits like blueberries and raspberries are considered excellent anti-aging foods, especially to eliminate aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines. They are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins and probiotics. They are also loaded with antioxidants that promote the process of cell regeneration. So,
include all antioxidant-rich foods in your diet
3. Green Tea
Green tea is a great way to fight off anti-aging signs. People are using this herb for ages to solve several health issues. It can control bleeding, heal wounds, help in digestion, improve heart condition, reduce anxiety and regulate overall body temperature. Studies have also found that green tea can have positive effects on weight loss, liver disorders, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes and so on.
4. Fish
If your skin is dry, try including those foods in your diet that are rich in healthy fats. They can keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Wild salmon can be an ideal option in this category. Not many foods can leapfrog fish when it comes to both 'taste and 'health benefits.’ Even experts recommend eating fish whenever you want. Because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, one of the most healthy fats for you. Apart from salmon, sardines and mackerel are also great.
5. Nuts
Nuts are an excellent source of protein and vital minerals. Besides, being loaded with protein, most nuts contain heart-healthy substances like unsaturated fats, vitamin-E, L-arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and so on. So, try to include all types of nuts like walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachios, etc. in your diet. These nuts can be very beneficial when eaten in moderation.
6. Avocados
Like fish and nuts, avocados are also an excellent food to fight aging as they are loaded with glutathione. By flushing harmful toxins from your body, glutathione can resolve issues like acne and wrinkles. Research and studies have also found that it can slow down the development of certain types of cancers.
7. Honey
When you are craving for something sweet, go for honey instead of processed sugar. Replacing sugar with honey can actually help you lose extra pounds and also keeps blood sugar levels in control. Studies have also found that a daily dose of honey can improve the level of antioxidants in the body. And, antioxidants fight against free radicals in the body that cause numerous health problems.