#HealthBytes: Few common foods that speed up your aging process
Are you a 25-year-old living in the body of a senior citizen? Has your body slowed down and do you feel tired all the time? A survey shows that young adults are twice as constantly exhausted than they were at least a decade ago. Along with unhealthy eating habits and millennial stress, certain foods also play a role in accelerating the aging process.
Charred meat causes inflammation and damages collagen in the skin
Charred meat is shown to increase levels of inflammation in the body. This can cause damage to the collagen of the skin, which in turn will increase wrinkles and sagging. Also, make sure to scrape off the black chars and clean the grill every time. And, instead of indulging in your favorite guilty pleasure cooked in butter/margarine, opt for olive oil as a healthy alternative.
Salty foods give you a puffy appearance by retaining water
Have you noticed how you never really stop at one bite of french fries or potato chips? A salty snack is seldom a good substitute for sugary treats, as is the popular belief. Salt retains the water in the body, causing puffiness and the skin becomes more prone to wrinkling. Also, snacks cooked at high temperatures can cause cellular damage to the skin.
Energy drinks are doing more harm than good
People often associate energy drinks with a healthy drink but in reality, this body recharger is doing more harm than good. Sipping on these drinks will keep you energetic for sure but its high sodium content can lead to dehydration, which results in older-looking skin. In addition, the highly concentrated sugars in the drinks erode the tooth enamel and also cause tooth decay.
As is obvious, alcohol isn't doing you much good
A fancy drink can be pleasing to the eyes and gives you an instant high, but its long-term damage might make you want to reconsider your choice of beverage. Wrinkles and sagging skin are a few of the many lasting side-effects when it comes to alcohol. So, the next time you crave a drink, go in moderation and drink lots of water to remain hydrated.
Replace sugars and refined flour with healthier options
Refined sugar and refined flours contribute to the formation of collagen-damaging Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products in the body, which leads to oxidative stress and inflammation. It's better to avoid sugars or substitute them with natural sweetening agents like honey. Having whole foods instead of refined flour is not just important for your skin, but also comes with its share of healthy advantages.
