Introduction
As we age, our bodies naturally go through changes. But did you know that certain everyday habits can speed up the aging process? According to science, there are certain foods and activities that can cause premature aging. Eating This Not That has compiled a list of everyday habits that can age you quicker, so you can make informed decisions about your health and lifestyle. From the foods you eat to the amount of sleep you get, these habits can have a major impact on how quickly you age. Read on to learn more about the everyday habits that can age you quicker, and how to make healthier choices.
Everyday Habits That Age You Quicker, According to Science
We all want to look and feel our best, but sometimes our everyday habits can have an adverse effect on our health and appearance. According to science, there are certain habits that can age us quicker than others. Here are some of the everyday habits that you should avoid if you want to stay looking and feeling young.
1. Eating Processed Foods
Processed foods are full of unhealthy ingredients like sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Eating too much of these foods can lead to weight gain, inflammation, and other health issues that can make you look and feel older. Instead, opt for fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
2. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a youthful appearance. Not getting enough sleep can lead to dark circles, wrinkles, and dull skin. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
3. Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is key for keeping your skin looking and feeling its best. Not drinking enough water can lead to dry, dull skin, which can make you look older. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated.
4. Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits for your health and appearance. Smoking can lead to wrinkles, dull skin, and other signs of premature aging. If you want to stay looking and feeling young, it’s best to avoid smoking altogether.
5. Not Exercising
Exercise is essential for maintaining a youthful appearance. Not exercising can lead to weight gain, which can make you look and feel older. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to keep your body looking and feeling its best.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the everyday habits that can age you quicker, according to science. Avoiding these habits and opting for healthier alternatives can help you stay looking and feeling young. So, make sure to keep these tips in mind if you want to stay looking and feeling your best.
According to a study published this week in the journal Nature Communications, the hard limit to how long a human can live lies somewhere between 120 and 150 years old. But experts say an inconvenient truth has emerged: During the pandemic, many of us developed bad habits—or allowed them to worsen—that can take years off your life, prematurely aging your appearance and various body systems. Here are five everyday patterns that age you quicker, according to science. Read on to find out more so you can avoid them, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You May Have Already Had COVID.
Sugary foods can really pack on the pounds. They can also add years to your face. According to a study published in the journal Clinical Dermatology, consumed sugar binds to and damages collagen and elastin, the compounds that keep our skin robust and youthful—and actually prevents the body from repairing them.
Your best bet for healthy aging: Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks and processed foods, and be mindful of how much added sugar is in products you buy by checking Nutrition Facts labels. (Eye-popping amounts can lurk in unexpected places, even wheat bread.) Emphasize whole foods. “Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables may help prevent damage that leads to premature skin aging,” says the American Academy of Dermatology. “Findings from research studies also suggest that a diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging.”
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Sleep is the time when your body undergoes necessary maintenance, rebooting and repairing everything from your brain to your skin. According to a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, women who reported good quality sleep experienced 30% better “skin-barrier recovery” than those who got poor sleep, and they had “significantly lower intrinsic skin aging.” What’s more: Sufficient sleep seems to lower the risk of several chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and dementia. What’s “good-quality sleep”? Experts including the National Sleep Foundation recommend seven to nine hours every night. If you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep, or you don’t wake up feeling refreshed, raise the issue with your doctor.
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Chronic overuse of alcohol can age you prematurely inside and out. Alcohol dehydrates the skin and causes inflammation, which can lead to flushing, swelling and broken capillaries. It also can damage the heart and prevent the liver from properly detoxifying the body and processing fats and carbs. Not a great look. To prevent premature aging, and to reduce your risk of cancer or heart disease, experts recommend no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women.
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To keep your heart, brain, and immunity in top shape—and to prevent premature skin aging— exercise most days of the week. “Moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system,” says the American Academy of Dermatology. “This, in turn, may give the skin a more youthful appearance.” The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) per day to prevent heart disease. Bonus: You just might look younger while you’re doing it.
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If someone offered you a Magic Aging Wand to wave in front of your face, would you take it? That’s essentially what a cigarette is: The hundreds of toxins in cigarette smoke cause blood vessels to constrict, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin. “Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages,” says the AAD. “It causes wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion.” At the same time, those toxins damage the blood vessels, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. According to a study published in JAMA, researchers found that cigarette smokers had three times the wrinkles of nonsmokers. So quit if you smoke, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.