10 best anti-aging foods for younger looking skin

Aging is both intrinsic as well as extrinsic phenomenon. Apart from the extrinsic factors like sun damage, pollution and other environmental aggressors that tend to damage the lipid barrier of the skin, intrinsic aging also affects your overall skin health.

Intrinsic aging (IA) is a genetically determined process that occurs naturally and is affected by the degenerative effects of free radicals, hormonal shifts and the body’s inability to perfectly repair skin damage. While IA is a natural process, it is deeply affected and regulated by the food you eat. So, what you put inside the body and how you maintain a balance within the body also determine the appearance of your skin.

Diet plays a huge role in maintaining healthy skin. The effect of our dietary choices reflects on how our skin behaves. For e.g. excessive sugar results in glycation, a process where sugar links itself to proteins in the skin forming harmful molecules called AGEs, and causing wrinkles and aging skin.

So, to prevent aging, you must include healthy, antioxidant-rich foods in your daily diet. Here are 10 anti-aging foods that will help maintain younger looking skin.

1. Green tea

Green Tea is not just beneficial to help lose weight but also good for anti-aging. This is due to the high amount of polyphenols in it called catechins that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent oxidative stress in the body by fighting free radical damage.

2. Bell Peppers

Bell Peppers are a rich source of Vitamin C. In fact, yellow bell peppers are known to contain up to 3 times more Vitamin C than oranges – our go-to vitamin C source. Vitamin C helps boost collagen production and also reduces damage caused by free radicals.

3. Moringa

Moringa a.k.a drumstick has recently received the superfood status in the west. But it has been a part of the Indian diet for centuries now. It is a rich source of Vitamin A, C and other phytochemicals and minerals too.

4. Avocado

Avocadoes are a rich source of potassium, antioxidants, vitamins and healthy fats. They also contain a low amount of sugar, which fastens the aging process, making it a healthy choice for youthful skin.

5. Nuts and seeds

Nuts like almonds are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. Also, walnuts and flaxseeds are a good source for Omega 3 fatty acids which help achieve smoother and younger looking skin by preventing dryness and reparing skin’s natural lipid barrier.

6. Oranges

Besides quenching your thirst, oranges help keep your body youthful. This great source of vitamin C not only helps to boost immunity, keeping your body in better working order, but they also help build collagen. Collagen makes the skin elastic, supple, and younger-looking.

7. Watermelon

Treat yourself to a slice of this summer fruit to keep your skin young. Watermelon is packed with lycopene, which acts as a natural sunblock, protecting it from ultraviolet rays that damage and age the skin, create sunspots, and make skin look weathered.

8. Avocado

Just like the omega-3s found in salmon, avocados are jam-packed with the inflammation-fighting fatty acids that keep the immune system functioning properly. They also help both your mind and body age gracefully, so add the green fruit into your salads, top your toast, or use it to make a healthy pudding.

9. Olives

Olives are an incredible source of polyphenols and other phytonutrients that help protect your DNA and keep you looking and feeling younger. Just be sure to skip the canned kind, as the pitting process actually strips the olive of vital nutrients that you’re after.

10. Sweet Potato

If you’re tired of boring ole’ white potatoes, grab the orange kind instead. Because they’re full of vitamin A (that’s what gives ’em the orange hue), they help fight off fine lines and wrinkles by revitalizing damaged collagen.