By: Nick Kowalski
Despite the expensive of creams, lotions and serums that promise a cure, there’s a simple fact commonly overlooked when it comes to graceful aging. Find out which foods contribute to wrinkles so you can avoid them for more youthful skin!
When it comes to aging, wrinkles are inevitable – at least to a degree. At some point in our lives, we will all have to face the inescapable changing of our bodies. However, can slow the aging process dramatically, especially in contrast to what most people experience in the modern world. The good news is there are many things we can do to age with grace, and some of it you have never considered before – such as the foods you’re eating on a daily basis.
The Science of Wrinkles
A wrinkle is a fold in the skin, which appear persistently as the skin begins to age. Besides the obvious passage of time, smoking, sun damage, stress and diet are all major factors that contribute to the formation of wrinkles. The major mechanism that drives the development of a wrinkle is called glycation. (1) Glycation is a physiological process that occurs when a protein molecule binds to a sugar molecule. After a series of chemical reactions, this bond forms an end product that’s fittingly known as an AGE (advanced glycation end product). The production of AGEs is what damages the surface of the skin by weakening collagen. (2)
While AGEs are a form of oxidative stress that can be caused by a number of factors, you can limit their formation greatly by watching the foods you eat. Some foods more than others, create more oxidative stress in the body and lead to AGEs. We’ll get to these in just a moment, but first, let’s broaden our horizons a bit more.
You Are What You Eat
For a long time, many of us have been told that caring for our skin was simply an outside job. We thought that all we needed to do was avoid the sun, practice good hygiene and maybe invest in some expensive serums for some additional help.
However, a myriad of skin issues are directly related to the foods we eat each day. In fact, the skin is actually a reflection of our internal health, especially the condition of our digestive system or gut. (3) Acne, eczema, and wrinkles have been linked to the foods of a standard Western diet.
In short, diet is a major cause of the development of wrinkles. Luckily, if we identify these foods and remove them, we can stop the progression of wrinkles, and by introducing new foods, we can inhibit or even reverse them!
3 Foods That Contribute To Wrinkles
Here are many different foods that can contribute to wrinkles and accelerate aging, let’s look at a few major foods and food groups that do the most damage.
Refined sugar
Among the most aging of foods is refined sugar. Refined sugar in the form of glucose and fructose has been shown to bind with the amino acids present in collagen and elastin, which support the dermis. This process is called glycation. As we learned earlier, this leads to wrinkling of the skin. Furthermore, the process is accelerated when sugar intake is increased. We could throw most processed foods into this category, considering most are filled with the white stuff. This includes most commercial candy, baked goods, soda, and cereals. However, beware of sneaky sugars, some dressings, sauces, pastas, and even breads contain refined sugar these days. This category would also include high fructose corn syrup. Your best bet is to make your own sweets so you know what goes in them! (4)
