Introduction
As we age, our bodies naturally start to break down and show signs of aging. But, there are ways to slow down the aging process and even reverse it. Studies have shown that certain dietary changes can help to reverse the signs of aging. Eating the right foods can help to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and even reduce the risk of age-related diseases. In this article, we will discuss the proven ways to reverse aging and the foods you should be eating to achieve these results.
Studies Show These are Proven Ways to Reverse Aging — Eat This Not That
As we age, our bodies naturally start to break down and show signs of aging. But, there are ways to slow down the process and even reverse some of the effects of aging. Studies have shown that certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help to reduce the signs of aging and keep you looking and feeling younger.
Eat This, Not That
When it comes to reversing the signs of aging, what you eat is just as important as what you don’t eat. Eating a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help to keep your body functioning optimally and reduce the signs of aging. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, and fried foods, as these can contribute to inflammation and accelerate the aging process.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your body functioning properly and reducing the signs of aging. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice. Drinking green tea can also help to reduce inflammation and keep your skin looking youthful.
Get Moving
Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy and reduce the signs of aging. Regular physical activity can help to improve your circulation, reduce inflammation, and keep your muscles and joints strong. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, and make sure to include both aerobic and strength-training exercises.
Protect Your Skin
Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best ways to reduce the signs of aging. Make sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you’re outside, and wear protective clothing like hats and sunglasses. You should also avoid smoking, as this can contribute to premature aging of the skin.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your body healthy and reducing the signs of aging. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and make sure to keep your bedroom dark and quiet to promote restful sleep. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed can also help you to get a better night’s sleep.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health when it comes to reversing the signs of aging. Make sure to take time for yourself each day to relax and unwind. You should also practice stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Taking care of your mental health can help to reduce inflammation and keep your body looking and feeling younger.
Youth may be wasted on the young, but it’s often squandered by the old. Well, older. Several everyday lifestyle habits have long been linked to premature aging. But science has recently discovered that by making some easy tweaks, you can actually reverse the aging process—to literally make your cells get younger. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You May Have Already Had COVID.
A study published last spring in the journal Aging found it was possible to reduce biological age by three years in eight weeks. Researchers had a test group consume a largely plant-based diet with a probiotic supplement, exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, do relaxation exercises, and sleep for at least seven hours each night. The scientists found that the participants’ DNA became 3.23 years younger, on average, after only two months.
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Not getting enough sleep ages you inside and out. Scientists at UCLA discovered that just one night of bad sleep actually makes older adults’ cells age faster. And a study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that women who got good-quality sleep experienced 30% better “skin-barrier recovery” and had “significantly lower intrinsic skin aging” than those who got poor sleep.
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Telomeres are the parts of our chromosomes that hold DNA; as we age, they get shorter. A 2017 study published in the journal Preventative Medicine found that adults who were highly physically active (defined as getting 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week) had telomeres that were nine years “younger” than those who were sedentary. Cardio seemed to be more effective than resistance training in that aspect, but resistance training has long-proven age-reversing benefits of its own: It builds bone density, helping stave off osteoporosis.
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“Cumulative DNA damage, immune dysfunctions, and oxidative stress are the most accepted theories regarding aging, and stress is actively involved in each,” wrote the authors of a 2017 study in the journal Maedica. Prolonged stress causes the brain to pump out elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which actually suppresses two natural substances that keep skin looking plump and youthful: hyaluronan synthase and collagen.
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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. Remember those telomeres? A study at the University of California-San Francisco found that people who consumed more sugar-sweetened drinks, such as soda, had shorter telomeres. “Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened sodas might influence metabolic disease development through accelerated cell aging,” the study’s authors wrote. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.