The habits we develop early on in life can make a big impact on our health and appearance later on. Bad health choices can not only affect our overall well being, but cause the aging process to speed up. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with experts who reveal tricks for looking younger and why they work. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

Dr. Kemunto Mokaya, a board-certified dermatologist reveals that, “Intermittent fasting triggers many changes in the body that slow down aging. When the body is in the fasting state, the cells have a chance to repair themselves and remove wastes that cause cellular damage. Inflammation is reduced with intermittent fasting. Insulin levels drop, and you can lose weight and abdominal fat, which in turn prevent chronic diseases that shorten life. Intermittent fasting also causes the expression of genes that promote longevity and prevent disease.”

“We are what we eat – that’s true,” Dr. Mokaya reminds us. “But I need to add that it’s not just what you eat but how the food is prepared. Certain cooking techniques can cause skin aging and damage your body internally—for example, preparing foods in high and dry heat increases the amount of advanced glycation end products in the body. Avoid frying, grilling, roasting, or broiling food. Instead, choose cooking methods that allow foods to stay moist as they are cooked, like steaming, poaching, and stewing.

Dr. Mokaya says, “Water is the major component of most body parts, and we need to be well-hydrated for optimal health. Drinking adequate water maintains the skin’s elasticity and keeps it looking plump and hydrated, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Adequate water intake allows our body to better regulate its pH and reduces inflammation (which is associated with aging). Water allows our body to flush out toxins, and the more we drink, the more toxins we can eliminate. Finally, drinking a lot of water can help you lose weight, thereby improving overall health.”

Dr Simran Sethi Founder and Medical Director of RenewMD Beauty & Wellness adds, “Drink at least 80 oz (10 glasses) of water daily, especially earlier in the day so that you don’t lag behind as the day progresses and if you drink a lot of water after dinner, you are likely going to have interrupted sleep.  Water makes up the majority of our body and it is an essential part of our skin. In fact, the first sign of dehydration is skin looking dull and not having any bounce back or elasticity. Additionally, eyes also look red,dry, irritated and sunken in when people are dehydrated. Plump skin and bright eyes will always make you look youthful.”

According to Dr. Mokaya, “Getting quality sleep is essential if you want to stay youthful and have amazing skin. When we sleep, the body repairs and renews itself. After good-quality sleep, your skin will look fresher, younger, and more radiant. Sleep leads to reduced inflammation in the body. Remember, inflammation causes aging. There is a term coined for this: ‘inflammaging.” 

Dr. Sethi says, “Sleeping a continuous 7-9 hours a night allows the body ample time to regenerate all its organs. This includes growing skin, hair and nails. In fact, studies have shown that skin actually follows a circadian rhythm and actively repairs and grows skin proteins like collagen and elastin. Healthy sleep leads to healthier skin as skin is allowed to optimally repair from all the environmental insults that it sustains throughout the day.”

“Under eye bags can be caused by the aging process and typically appear in the 40-50’s.As we age, the ligaments underneath our eyes that hold back fatty tissue begin to weaken, and the tissue can fall forward to form under eye bags. Other factors can increase the likelihood of under eye bags sooner, like heredity, where the trait is passed down from a family member. Under eye bags could also be a side effect of sleepy eyes. Our circulatory system moves more slowly when we’re sleeping, leaving excess fluid beneath the eyes. A less-than-rested body can prevent your circulatory system from flushing out this extra fluid even after you have been awake for a while. If bags persist, it could mean you need more sleep.

 –Avoid foods and beverages such as alcohol, coffee, white sugar, fried foods, white flour, and salt. Also, keep the carbohydrates to a minimum. These foods can encourage fluid retention under the eye. Reducing your intake can help.

–Elevate the head while sleeping. Gravity does the work of preventing fluid buildup.

–Try a cold compress over the eyes. The cold helps to reduce swelling.

—Brew two green tea bags and let them cool in the refrigerator. When you lay them across your eyes for about 10 minutes, it promotes circulation and reduces puffiness.”

Dana Ellis Hunnes PhD, MPH, RD is a senior dietitian at UCLA medical center, assistant professor at UCLA Fielding school of public health, and author with Cambridge university Press, of the new book, RECIPE FOR SURVIVAL shares, “Tea leaves are very high in antioxidants, and plant nutrients that are anti-inflammatory and super healthy and help neutralize oxidants which age you at the cellular and physical level. People in blue zones tend to drink more tea, especially in Japan.” 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Hunnes explains, “Coffee is another one of those beverages that consumed in 2-3 cups per day are full of antioxidants, polyphenols, plant nutrients that are anti-inflammatory, and may be associated with slower aging, hydration, younger-looking skin, longevity and lower chronic disease risk.”