Health Mistakes That “Make You Look Older” — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Do you want to look younger and feel healthier? Eating the right foods can make a huge difference in your overall health and appearance. Unfortunately, many of us make health mistakes that can make us look older than we really are. From eating too much sugar to not getting enough sleep, these health mistakes can take a toll on our skin, hair, and overall health. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common health mistakes that can make you look older and provide tips on how to avoid them. Eating the right foods and making healthy lifestyle choices can help you look and feel your best.

Health Mistakes That “Make You Look Older” — Eat This Not That

We all want to look and feel our best, but sometimes our health habits can make us look older than we really are. Here are some of the most common health mistakes that can make you look older than you are, and what you should be eating instead.

1. Eating Too Much Sugar

Sugar is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to making you look older. Eating too much sugar can cause wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. Instead of reaching for sugary snacks, opt for healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

2. Not Drinking Enough Water

Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Not drinking enough water can cause your skin to become dry and dull, which can make you look older. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin looking its best.

3. Not Getting Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Not getting enough sleep can cause your skin to become dull and wrinkled, which can make you look older. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to keep your skin looking its best.

4. Eating Too Much Processed Food

Processed foods are full of unhealthy ingredients that can cause your skin to age faster. Eating too much processed food can cause wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots. Instead, opt for fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

5. Not Exercising Regularly

Exercising regularly is essential for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Not exercising can cause your skin to become dull and wrinkled, which can make you look older. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to keep your skin looking its best.

Conclusion

Making healthy lifestyle choices is essential for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Avoiding the health mistakes listed above can help you look and feel your best, and keep you looking younger for longer.

No one wants to look older than we should. But some of us are doing things that age us prematurely every day, even some things that are considered necessary or harmless. These are some of the most common mistakes that make you look older, including some revelations from new studies. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

A small plant of cannabis in the hands of an old woman.
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Think smoking pot is totally harmless? It might not be so kind to your internal clock. A new study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence followed a set of people from age 13 to age 30, tracking their health and self-reported marijuana use. The scientists found that people who regularly smoked marijuana had higher epigenetic aging—aging on a cellular level—even after accounting for other demographic factors. 

Sick woman on couch
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Of course, many of us contracted COVID-19 before knowing how to prevent it, or even after taking all precautions. But if you still consider COVID as harmless as the flu, think again before throwing away your face masks and skipping that booster shot: A new study from Imperial College London has found that being hospitalized with a case of COVID may age the brain as much as 20 years—the equivalent of 10 IQ points—and people who were mildly afflicted may also be affected. If you tend to act your age, that’s bad news for your looks.

womany sleepy leaning on coffee table
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Scientists at UCLA found that just one night of bad sleep actually makes older adults’ cells age faster. During sleep, the body repairs DNA. According to a study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, women who reported getting frequent, good quality sleep experienced “significantly lower intrinsic skin aging” than women who got poor sleep. 

Coffee and Sugar Main Picture
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“Findings from research studies suggest that a diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging,” says the American Academy of Dermatology. Sugar creates advanced glycation endproducts (or AGEs), which bind to proteins in our skin (collagen and elastin) that keep it looking young, damaging them and blocking the body’s efforts at repair.

Mature man working on laptop while sitting at his working place in office.
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You could be prematurely aging yourself right now. Scientists say that getting too much exposure to blue light, the kind emitted from phones and computer screens, may accelerate aging. A 2019 study published in Aging and Mechanisms of Disease found that blue light can damage cells in the brain and eyes. To avoid this, the researchers recommend wearing blue light glasses, and limiting screen time. And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Michael Martin

Michael Martin is a New York City-based writer and editor whose health and lifestyle content has also been published on Beachbody and Openfit. A contributing writer for Eat This, Not That!, he has also been published in New York, Architectural Digest, Interview, and many others. Read more