One day you’re looking in the mirror and notice a line where you hadn’t seen one before.
Oh my, you have wrinkles!
And although wrinkles may just be a normal part ofaging, your diet can definitely speed up the process.
Win-win in my book!
What causes wrinkles?
Skin is made up of two proteins: collagen and elastin.
These proteins work to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle free.
Keeping these proteins healthy is what will also keep your skin looking great.
The sun is our first offender.
It damages collagen, breaking down the structural fibers underneath the skin.
Once the collagen is damaged, the skin will weaken, leading to sagging.
Another culprit of wrinkles areadvanced glycation end products, or AGEs.
These molecules are left over debris, formed as part of the normal process of digesting sugar.
The more collagen breaks down, the more wrinkled the skin will appear.
so that prevent wrinkles, reduce your sugar intake.
But not all carbs are created equal.
Fruits and vegetables are carbohydrates and many of them have amazing nutritional properties that can actuallypreventwrinkles.
So, totally avoiding carbs to avoid wrinkles would actually be detrimental to the health your skin.
Focus on eating healthy, less-processed carbs which provide nutrients that improve the appearance of skin.
Uncontrolled oxidative stress damages all the body’s organs, including the skin.
Avoid margarine and opt for small amounts of real butter instead.
Instead, venture to get your calcium from other sources such as green leafy vegetables, or milk alternatives.
Red meat
Red meatmay lead to the formation of wrinkles, but only if it’s charred.
Alcohol
It’s no secret that no one looks their best after a night of drinking.
But regular intake of alcohol can have a long-term effect on your appearance also.
Alcohol is toxic and dehydrating.
It increases inflammation and speeds up aging.
In addition, the dehydration can make your skin look dull and dry.
Alcohol also deprives your body of critical nutrients it needs to maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails.
The daily recommended amount is no more than one drink for women, and two for men.
But this doesn’t mean you should save up all of your drinks for the weekend only.
It’s best to drink a little at a time, rather than all in one session.
The best way to do this is to increase your fruit and vegetable intake.
A healthy lifestyle will help your skin look great.
Along with whole foods, regular exercise, sleep, and stress-management can also have an impact.
Aim for plenty of fruits and vegetables that help reduce damage sparked by free radicals.
Lean protein and healthy fats help too.
