Aging

Many of us are familiar with the saying, “You are what you eat.” Keeping that in mind, think about how much sugar you are personally ingesting. You could be contributing to speeding up the aging process on your body, without even knowing it.

Weight gain is usually the first thing that comes to mind when we consider the results of eating large amounts of sugar. It is definitely a proven fact, but there are also some other detrimental effects that sugar can have on our bodies.

Let’s take a look at what sugar does to make you look older:

Ages The Appearance Of Skin

This medical study states that loss of elasticity and sagging skin are impacted by diet, due to the changes in the collagen and elastic fibers that help make up the skin. It also states, that when sugar is ingested, a process called glycation takes place in the body.

During the glycation process, there are structural changes in the skin, which cause signs of aging, such as loss of elasticity. Reducing or eliminating processed sugars and refined carbohydrates, is one of the best ways to combat looking older.

Adding herbs and spices, such as oregano, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and garlic will also help inhibit the glycation process. Be sure to add them to your diet for another way to combat wrinkles.

Lowers Human Growth Hormone Levels

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a natural hormone in our bodies that keeps us looking youthful. When we eat excess amounts of sugar, our Human Growth Hormone is decreased. If that way of eating becomes a habit over time, then our levels will be extremely low and will make us look older.

This article lists the many benefits of keeping a high HGH level. For example, it helps regulate body composition, muscle and bone growth, and the metabolism of fat. Each of these factors contribute to our overall health and keep us looking younger, for a longer period of time.

Takes A Toll On Teeth

Dental health is very important in keeping a bright, white smile. Those white smiles also will keep you looking younger. If your teeth are filled with decay or cavities, it takes away from your youthful appearance.

This article reveals that there are several types of bacteria in the mouth that produce acid whenever we eat sugar. This acid will essentially remove minerals from the tooth enamel, causing it to break down. The name for this process is “demineralization”.

Minimizing the your intake of sugar, along with brushing after ingesting anything sugary, will keep your smile bright and young looking for many years to come.

Conclusion

It is evident that a healthy diet that contains a limited amount of sugar, is one of the best defenses against aging and disease.

Your body will look and feel better by eliminating the most sugar from your diet as possible. Replace it with healthy fruits and vegetables. This article lists a variety of dessert recipes that don’t contain refined sugar, for those days when you still have a sweet tooth.

In addition to reducing or eliminating sugar in your diet, try incorporating facial exercise into your daily routine. Doing so, will help firm up the skin on your face, neck and chin. You can also help reduce signs of aging around the eye, forehead or lip area.

Also keep in mind to drink plenty of water, to prevent getting dehydrated. When your body is dehydrated, your skin is as well. When your skin is dehydrated, there will be more wrinkles and you will look older.

For further reading, check out: 6 Things You Can Do To Help You Look Younger and Doing These Facial Exercises Will Give Maximum Change.

Image: Flickr

It is a well-known fact that drinking a sufficient amount of water is required to keep your body functioning properly.

The human body is made up of 60% water. To maintain the health of the body, it is recommended that adult men drink approximately three liters of water a day and adult women drink 2.2 liters a day.

Most of us are familiar with carrying around a cold bottle of water or drinking a tall glass of ice water. We tend to forget about the benefits of drinking hot water.

Let’s take a look at how drinking hot water can improve the aging process:

Removes Toxins From The Body

An article from MSN states that when we drink hot water, our body temperature rises and causes us to sweat. When we perspire, the toxins are eliminated through our pores.

In addition to sweating, consuming water will also cause more frequent urination. This also flushes out toxins and fat deposits from the body.

Improves Blood Circulation

The heat from the hot water expands the veins and arteries in the body. This helps the blood flow more freely and circulation is improved.

The muscles in the body relax when hot water is ingested, which also benefits blood circulation.

Burns Extra Body Fat

This article reports a study, which showed that drinking hot water helped people lose weight, without any other means of diet or exercise. It also stated that drinking hot water may boost the body’s metabolic rate.

Another point mentioned in the article is that by slowing down and sipping a hot cup of water before eating, you actually may eat less. Your appetite is curbed and you will feel satisfied faster than if you didn’t drink the water before your meal.

Faster Cell Repair

Once free radicals and other toxins are removed from the body, your skin cells will rejuvenate faster, giving your skin a more youthful glow. The elasticity in your skin will also improve, which helps you to look younger.

Some other tips you should keep in mind are:

1. In addition to drinking hot water, you should drink plenty of cool water as well, to ensure your body stays hydrated.

2. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends keeping your skin protected from the damaging rays of the sun by using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This will block 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.

3. Eat a well-balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods and limit alcohol consumption.

4. Don’t smoke cigarettes or vape.

5. Cleanse and moisturize your face every day. Remove all the makeup from your skin before going to bed. Apply a night cream on the face and eye cream around the eye. Use a lighter day cream and serum in the morning, in addition to a daytime eye cream.

6. Develop a regular routine of facial exercises. When done consistently and correctly, facial exercises will tighten and tone the skin. Your face will look younger with less wrinkles. The best part, is they are easy to do and you can do them almost anywhere, any time!

Conclusion

Following the above ideas will get you started on the road to younger-looking skin. Each of them is easy to do, you just need to implement them into your daily life.

Incorporate hot water into your regular schedule when you can. Your body will start to reap the rewards immediately and you will soon see a difference in the appearance of your skin.

For further reading, check out: 4 Exercises You Can Do To Help Get Rid Of Necklines and Anti-Wrinkle Fruits – 4 Best Fruits To Reduce Wrinkles.

Eating a healthy diet will keep you looking and feeling younger. When you ingest particular anti-aging foods into your regular meal plan, you will notice that there are many overall benefits.

There are a vast amount of food choices available to suit any palate. With a little adjustment to your regular diet, you should be able to reap the benefits and start looking and feeling better in no time.

Let’s take a look at various benefits of an anti-aging diet and how to achieve the best results:

1. High In Nutritional Value

Dark leafy greens, such as kale and spinach are an excellent source of nutrients.

For example, this article reports that one cup of kale will supply your body with 1180% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin K. Kale is also very rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which provides almost 100% of your recommended daily consumption.

You will also find that dark leafy greens are also high in high in lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients are excellent for reducing cataracts and macular degeneration, which are eyesight issues that happen as we age.

2. High In Antioxidants

Free radicals in the environment, such as smoking, pollution, and sun exposure can wreak havoc on our skin. Over time, skin will lose collagen and elastin, which makes it appear thinner and have a wrinkled appearance. By ingesting food that are rich in antioxidants, we can help to combat this issue.

It is reported that some of the most beneficial foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants are: berries (blueberries, cranberries and blackberries are best), nuts (pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts have the highest value) and beans (red kidney beans and pinto beans are preferred).

Ginger is also a great source of antioxidants. Try drinking a cup of ginger tea with honey and lemon for a healthy and delicious beverage. You may even want to try ginger jam on your morning whole wheat toast for a different twist.

3. Provides Adequate Hydration

A healthy anti-aging diet will keep the body and skin hydrated. One of the easiest ways, is to drink enough water.

It is recommended that men should drink 3.7 liters and women should drink 2.7 liters a day to be sufficiently hydrated. Add a slice of lemon to give it some taste and provide a little vitamin C as well.

Of course, drinking other liquids can contribute to the overall total, but try to avoid overly caffeinated beverages, alcohol or drinks that are high in sugar.

There are also foods that you can eat, which have a high water content. If you have trouble drinking enough liquids to keep yourself hydrated, the following foods should help you reach your goal: watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, cucumbers, oranges, peaches, lettuce, tomatoes and cottage cheese.

4. Greater Overall Health

Eating a well balanced diet with limited sugar and preservatives will give the body greater overall health. Inflammation will be reduced and weight will be controlled. Your skin will appear hydrated and have a healthy glow.

A staple for overall health is getting enough Omega Fatty Acids in your diet. Seafood, nuts and seeds will aid in providing the sufficient amount, which will promote healthy aging.

Conclusion

By incorporating the above practices and foods into your diet, you will reduce the signs of aging and slow down the process as well.

In addition to an anti-aging diet, you should also exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Also try to reduce the amount of stress in your life and take good care of your skin. Facial exercises are another method to help keep you looking younger.

If you would like further information, these articles should be of interest: Anti-Wrinkle Fruits – 4 Best Fruits To Reduce Wrinkles and 3 Ways To Get Rid Of Under Eye Wrinkles At Home.

Image: Flickr

Many of us are familiar with topical products, such as moisturizers, which are applied to the skin surface to help reduce wrinkles. But if you really want to combat aging, you need to work from the inside of the body, as well.

You may be surprised to find that there are a number of fruits that you can eat on a regular basis, that will help fight those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

Let’s take a look at some healthy fruit options that are not only good for your body but for your skin as well:

1. Blueberries

Blueberries are chock full of antioxidants and loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. They also increase circulation, which keeps skin healthy and vibrant.

One of the greatest skin benefits of eating blueberries, is that they can help eliminate dark spots, otherwise known as hyperpigmentation. Your skin will appear brighter and more youthful.

Free radicals are neutralized from the intake of Vitamin C, which will prevent and reduce the signs of aging.

You can incorporate blueberries into your diet by tossing them in your morning oatmeal, smoothie or just grab a handful to go.

2. Pineapple

As the years go by, we all slowly lose the collagen and elastin in our skin. These essential proteins are what keep the skin healthy and strong. They are part of the connective tissues that form under the skin.

Collagen heals and strengthens the skin and elastin keeps skin from getting loose and wrinkling.

Eating pineapple or drinking pineapple juice will help increase collagen and elastin in your skin. It is also rich in Vitamin C, which will help the skin look fresh and smooth.

Add pineapple to your salads or make fresh juice in a juicer for the best and purest flavor.

3. Avocado

Eating avocados on a regular basis will help you achieve the firm, smooth skin you are longing for. This article states, that avocado has an abundance of over twenty vitamins and minerals.

You will find: Vitamin B, C, E, and K. Other nutrients included are: riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, lutein, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids and anti-aging antioxidants.

You can incorporate avocado into your diet by eating it by itself, spreading on a piece of whole grain toast, or include a few slices in your smoothies. Don’t forget about guacamole!

4. Pomegranate

Pomegranates are an excellent fruit choice, when it comes to skin health and preventing wrinkles.

Vitamins C, D, E, and K, as well as selenium, magnesium, and essential proteins are found in the seeds of this delicious fruit.

Make pomegranate part of your diet by drinking pomegranate juice or adding the actual fruit to a smoothie or fruit salad.

Conclusion

It’s important to not overdo it when consuming fruits. They do contain a high amount of natural sugar. But if you follow a healthy diet plan and incorporate the above fruits, along with balanced meals, you should notice that your fine lines will start to diminish.

Adding fruits into your diet is one step to reducing wrinkles. You should also combine healthy eating with a good skin care regimen and be sure to stay hydrated. Protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun with a 30 SPF sunscreen or higher to reduce sun damage.

If you are looking for even more wrinkle prevention and reduction, you may also want to try doing facial exercises on a regular basis. Combining all of the above mentioned methods will give you the smooth, healthy skin you are looking for.

For further reading, check out: 3 Ways To Get Rid Of Under Eye Wrinkles At Home and Five Facial Exercises To Reduce Laugh Lines.

Image: Flickr

One of the first signs of aging can be seen in the eye area. The dreaded crow’s feet start to appear on the outer corners of the eyes. You will eventually notice some fine lines starting to form under the eyes as well. It happens to all of us at one time or another.
There are many products on the market today that target the eye area and claim to banish wrinkles. The fact of the matter is, most of these products are very costly, full of chemicals and don’t actually do what they say they will.
One way to combat this issue is to take matters into your own hands and make your own. The ingredients for the at home eye treatments listed below, are probably already in your pantry and refrigerator. You will also find that it is much more cost effective than purchasing skin products from the store.
Another bonus to making your own eye wrinkle treatments, is that they are natural and you are aware of the exact ingredients that go into each formula you create. You also won’t have to worry about harsh chemicals that can often cause more harm than good.
Let’s take a look at some simple at home recipes to help eliminate and prevent eye wrinkles:

1. Cucumber Slices

Our eyes often get puffy from allergies, crying or exhaustion. When this happens, the skin is stretched and will cause wrinkling under the eye.
Combat eye bags the old fashioned way and place cold cucumber slices over each eye. Lay down with the slices on the eyes for 10-20 minutes. The ascorbic and caffeic acid will help eliminate water retention that creates the under eye bags.
This is a tried and true method that has been around for decades. It really works!

2. Egg Whites

You can easily tighten the delicate skin under the eyes with an egg white eye mask. This is very simple and effective.
To make your egg white mask, combine one egg white, one teaspoon of milk and several drops of honey in a small bowl. You can also add several drops of Vitamin E extracted from a capsule.
Apply mixture under the eyes with a small brush and allow it to dry on the skin for 20-25 minutes. Gently remove with warm water and a soft cloth. Lay the wet cloth on the eye area so it dissolves the mask. Be careful not to pull or stretch the skin during removal.

3. Avocado

Avacados are rich in nutrients such as Vitamin C and E, which are amazing for the skin.
Vitamin C is needed for the skin to produce collagen, as well as to treat and prevent damage from the sun. Vitamin E assists in fighting free radicals that damage the skin. The hydration benefits from the monounsaturated fatty acids in the avocado helps to diminish fine lines.
To use, simply cut two slices of avocado, lie down and place them under the eye for 15-20 minutes. The avocado can also be mashed with a fork to release more of the nutrients and then applied with the fingertips or small brush.
When the time is up, gently use warm water and a soft wet cloth to wipe off any residue.
Conclusion
Try each of the above recipes and see which ones work the best for you. You may even want to alternate between several on them, depending on what ingredients you have on hand and what your intention is.
Take a few extra minutes a week to pamper yourself and care for your skin. Set aside 20-30 minutes of quiet time to apply your treatments and do your other beauty rituals. You will not only look better, but you will feel better too.
For further reading, check out: 3 Face Mask Recipes You Can Make At Home and 12 Hacks & Home Remedies To Naturally Prevent Wrinkles.
Image: Flickr