5 foods that make you look older…and 9 that make you look younger!

As we get into our 60s and 70s, we want to look and feel as fresh as we can. We want to be able to do all the things we could when we were younger, and live a free lifestyle now we have the time.

But there could be a few things holding us back from looking and feeling young, namely…food! We love our food but there are a number of things we enjoy that are not only doing us harm, but are making us look aged.

Here’s 5 of the top foods you should consider cutting from or reducing in your diet.

1. Salty foods

Even if you don’t add salt to your meals, it could be the foods themselves that are loaded with extra sodium. Many canned foods are preserved with sodium, a compound which can make you retain water and look puffy. Try to look on the label for added salt and keep your daily intake down.

2. Charred meat

Love a good barbecue? Who doesn’t? If you’re used to have your meat a bit burnt, this could be accelerating the ageing process. Charred meat contains pro-inflammatory hydrocarbons, which wreaks havoc on the collagen in your skin. Simply scrape off any black bits before you chow down.

3. Hot spices

If you love spicy food, you’re not alone. However, it is not something you want to ingest on a regular basis as spicy food aggravates the skin and can lead to red flare ups. Spicy food dilates your blood vessels, and post menopausal women may find their skin looking blotchy and less youthful after an extra spicy meal. Regularly adding extra chili could lead to spider veins, puffiness, and/or permanent redness.

4. Lemonade or lemon juice

As we know, citrus wears away enamel, but none more so than lemons. In a General Dentistry study, lemon juice created the most dental damage, compared to orange and grapefruit juice. If you like lemonade, the added sugar can rot your teeth further.

5. Coffee

We know, we know. Coffee is like liquid gold, but there are no secrets about its effect on your health. Coffee is hard on your teeth and can create microscopic pores on the surface of the enamel. If you can’t give up your daily cup, just make sure you follow with a glass of water to neutralise your pH levels.

9 foods to make you appear more youthful

1. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are tasty, but they’ve also been proven to prevent brain decline linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Also, its skin is loaded with silica, an essential component for healthy connective tissue that aids muscle repair and supports circulation around ligaments, cartilage, bone and skin cells. Not to mention it’s a great anti-inflammatory and can soothe redness.

2. Coconut Oil

This magic oil has so many benefits, not least of all its nourishing and hydration qualities. Apply organic coconut oil to your skin every day for a gentle moisturiser and glowing skin.

3. Eggplant

The deep-purple skin of an aubergine gets its rich colour and anti-ageing power from nasunin, a nutrient that helps fight the spread of cancerous cells by cutting off the blood supply they need to multiply. Nasunin may also slow the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Sweet potatoes

Studies have shown that sweet potatoes give a healthier glow than other vegetables and also contains disease-fighting compounds called carotenoids – just half a sweet potato with the skin provides 200 per cent of your daily recommended intake.

5. Brussels sprouts

Your mum was right: you should eat your brussels! Brussels sprouts contain sulphur and may block enzymes that promote tumor growth. A 2012 study also found that these sulfur compounds could play a key role in treating rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation and activating cartilage-protecting proteins.

6. Tomatoes

Lycopene, an antioxidant that can combat free radicals (molecules or ions that can damage healthy cells and suppress your immune system), gives tomatoes their ability to help protect against some cancers.

7. Kale

Kale has had a fresh new life in recent years thanks to the healthy eating movement, and it’s no wonder: kale is a major source of vitamin K (one cup cooked contains almost 12 times your recommended daily value), which may help ward off heart disease and osteoporosis.

8. Salmon

Omega-3s are so crucial to your overall health and fatty fish are the best source. Salmon is really tasty and will improve heart and brain health, give you a glow and help your skin stay hydrated (helps with cuts and grazes).

9. Mangoes

Mangoes are packed full of collagen and help your skin with its collagen production. As we age our collagen and elastin is no longer produced by our bodies, so it’s important to draw it from foods such as mangoes.

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