In your rush to shed a few kilos, are you piling on the wrinkles? Rhea Dhanbhoora tells you how to avoid a diet that speeds up the ageing process
Before you start rubbing in wrinkle creams and wail about the sudden loss of elasticity in your skin, think about why the wrinkles are appearing even though you’re nowhere close to old yet. Apart from smoking, excessive alcohol intake and a stressful lifestyle, what you eat can also affect the way you look — and how many wrinkles you get. Take a look at how to keep them at bay.
Eating for your skin
Indrayani Pawar, a nutritionist from Hinduja Surgical, says that just like apple slices turn brown and fish becomes rancid, our skin gets inflamed and ages because of a process called oxidisation. She says, “It is a process that is necessary to keep our body healthy. While the body metabolises oxygen efficiently, 1% or 2% of cells get damaged in the process and turn into free radicals. Free radicals trigger a damaging chain reaction which can cause early ageing.”
“Healthy and nutritious foods rich in vital nutrients and antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress and act as a guard against ageing. Our bodies can fight toxins with antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene and enzymes. There is no miracle treatment to treat ageing but there are various modifications that can be followed to slow down the process,” says health expert Mickey Mehta of 360 Degrees Gym.
Mistakes you make
Here are some foods you should avoid to keep wrinkles at bay:
Junk: Junk food is laced with high-fat and is full of free radical formers.
Cakes & cookies: They are filled with refined ingredients and trans fats.
Aerated drinks: Carbonated beverages are horrible for your health and speed up the ageing process.
Colouring agents: Stay away from foods that are rich in synthetic colour as it can make wrinkles appear faster.
Meat: Certain meats, such as beef and other red meat, can make you age faster.
Rice: White rice and bread contain little or no fibre and have high glycemic index levels.
Butter & milk: Whether it’s butter, margarine or full fat dairy, you’re just speeding up the ageing process by eating it.
Change things around
Sadichha Kamble, a dietician and nutritionist from Kohinoor Hospital, tells us what to eat to keep wrinkles at bay.
Nuts & seeds: A moderate source of antioxidants and vitamin E, nuts will help slow down the ageing process.
Whole grains & cereals: They are rich in fibre, essential amino acids and vitamins.
Beans: Beans have antioxidant properties which slows down ageing.
Dark chocolate: We were thrilled too! Dark chocolate has a high count of antioxidants and can keep you looking younger.
Water: Regularly sip on water to hydrate your cells and keep them from drying out.
Spices: Add spices such as curry powder, basil, mustard, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric and cumin in your diet.
Fruits & raw vegetables: Deeply pigmented fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, plums, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are rich in antioxidants.
Vitamin C can be obtained from citrus fruits, while vitamin A can be found in carrots, squash and spinach.
Essential oils: Olive oil, flax seed oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil and soyabean oil contain antioxidant.
Green tea: Drink green tea as well as herbal tea for their antioxidant properties.
Here’s a few tips to help you eat healthy without losing your youthful glow:
- Reduce your intake of alcohol. Red wine can be consumed in moderation as it provides you with some antioxidants.
- Choose organic foods and avoid foods or crops that contain pesticides and residues.
- Avoid large consumption of saturated fats sugars and starches.
- Ensure you get adequate rest and sleep, both of which are crucial for the human body and mind.
- Eat cruciferous vegetables belonging to the cabbage family for their antioxidant properties.