Secret Tricks for Looking Younger After 40, Science Says — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

As we age, it can be difficult to maintain a youthful appearance. But science has revealed some secret tricks for looking younger after 40. Eating the right foods can help you look and feel younger, while avoiding certain foods can help you maintain a youthful appearance. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind eating the right foods to look younger after 40. We’ll also provide some tips on what to eat and what to avoid to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. So, if you’re looking for ways to look younger after 40, read on to learn the secret tricks for looking younger after 40, science says.

Secret Tricks for Looking Younger After 40, Science Says — Eat This Not That

Turning 40 can be a daunting milestone, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of looking and feeling young. With the right lifestyle choices, you can maintain a youthful appearance and keep your body healthy and strong. Here are some science-backed tips for looking younger after 40.

Eat This, Not That

What you eat can have a huge impact on your appearance. Eating a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you look and feel younger. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, and fried foods, as these can age your skin and make you look older.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated and glowing. You can also add in other hydrating beverages like herbal teas and fresh juices.

Protect Your Skin

Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for keeping it looking young. Wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy, and make sure to reapply it every two hours. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when you’re outside to protect your face from the sun’s harmful rays.

Get Moving

Exercise is key for keeping your body looking and feeling young. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling. Exercise helps to keep your skin looking firm and toned, and it can also help to reduce stress and boost your mood.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for looking and feeling young. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep a night to keep your skin looking healthy and your body feeling energized. Avoid late nights and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Make sure to take time for yourself and do things that make you happy. Spend time with friends and family, practice mindfulness, and find ways to reduce stress. Taking care of your mental health can help you look and feel younger.

Thanks to science—and a huge anti-aging industry that was born from its findings—40 isn’t what it used to be. Thanks to healthy habits, dermatological interventions, and a significant amount of luck, people can look younger for longer. But you don’t have to shell out thousands for the most advanced creams and laser procedures to keep a youthful appearance in your fifth decade. Research has found there are some simple and effective ways to turn back the clock and reduce the visible signs of aging. 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.

woman sleeps in bed
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Not getting enough sleep doesn’t just make you look a bit haggard the next day. When poor sleep becomes chronic, it can make you look older permanently. According to a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, women who reported having poor quality sleep experienced 30% better “skin-barrier recovery” than women who got poor sleep, and had “significantly lower intrinsic skin aging.” Experts like the National Sleep Foundation recommend getting seven to nine hours of good quality sleep every night. 

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To prevent premature skin aging, exercise most days of the week. “Findings from a few studies suggest that 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.” Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity) weekly, ideally spread throughout the week. 

RELATED: How to Reverse Aging, Say Studies

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The powerful antioxidant known as vitamin C is essential to the production of collagen, one of the proteins that keeps skin young-looking. According to a 2021 review of studies published in the journal Molecular Biology Reports, vitamin C can also protect against the shortening of telomeres, the portions of a chromosome that hold DNA information and get shorter as they age.

RELATED: What Taking Vitamin C Every Day Does to Your Body

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You probably knew that booze is not a beauty drug, but research has found that heavy drinking contributes directly to the most visible signs of facial aging. In a 2019 multinational study of more than 3,200 women, researchers found that those who drank more than eight drinks a week had more “upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, oral commissures, midface volume loss, and blood vessels” than women who drank moderately or abstained from drinking alcohol altogether. 

RELATED: Everyday Habits That Add Years to Your Life, Studies Show

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After 40, it’s especially important to limit your sweet tooth—and not just for your weight. “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. According to a study published in the journal Clinical Dermatology, when high levels of glucose and fructose (a.k.a. sugar) are consumed, they bind to amino acids in collagen and elastin, damaging them and preventing repair. The results: Wrinkles and sagging skin. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.