10 Foods to Make You Look Younger

Surprisingly, when it comes to healthy aging, what you put inside your body is just as important as what you apply on the outside. In other words, your diet directly impacts your appearance. Here are ten easily available foods that can make you look younger and age better.

Please note that, although many of the foods listed work as sun protectants, they are by no means a substitute for a sunblock.

1. Pomegranates

Beauty benefits of pomegranates include repair of damaged skin, increased production of collagen (a protein found in the skin that helps promote elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles), protection from sun damage and decreased inflammation. Pomegranates also improve blood sugar levels and help prevent cancer.

2. Watermelon

Watermelons contain high quantities of lycopene, known for its ability to protect the skin from the damaging UV rays of the sun, providing protection of around SPF 3. Its high-water content can keep your skin and body hydrated and its many nutrients help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.

3. Cinnamon

Eating cinnamon can curb blood sugar levels, thereby reducing skin damage that occurs due to advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are formed when blood sugar levels become too high. Cinnamon has also been proven to promote collagen production.

4. Kale

The Vitamin K in Kale promotes healthy blood clotting, which can prevent under-eye shadows, while its high quantity of iron can reduce pallor. Other skin-friendly nutrients found in Kale include Vitamin C and copper for sun protection and collagen production and Vitamin A for skin regeneration.

5. Water

Water plumps up the skin, filling wrinkles and pores, thereby reducing their prominence. Many collagen-supporting structures in the skin require water in order to work effectively.

6. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) has antioxidant quantities that surpass those of many fruits. The antioxidant flavanol is known to protect the skin from sun damage, increase blood flow to the skin, and promote hydration, thickness and smoothness.

7. Ginger

Ginger contains the compound gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory effects that help prevent the formation of age spots due to sun exposure.

8. Eggplant

This superfood owes its antiaging properties primarily to its anthocyanins, which give it the ability to reduce wrinkles and inflammation. Like watermelon, eggplants’ high water quantity keeps the skin hydrated. They also contain chemicals that encourage thick, healthy hair growth.

9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil’s richness in antioxidants and squalene make it uniquely beneficial to the skin—in a way, not found in any other form of fat consumption. These chemicals (again), fight free radicals, thus preventing sun damage (which results in reduced wrinkle formation).

10. Walnuts

Walnuts contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in your hair natural oils and Vitamin E, which works to repair damaged hair follicles. They also contain high amounts of copper, a metal which is required to produce pigments for your skin and hair. Thus, consuming walnuts can delay hair graying.