6 Foods That Make You Look Older: What to Avoid for Youthful Skin

In recent years, awareness has grown regarding healthier eating habits. Beyond general health, certain foods can actually make you look younger (or older). Indeed, aging is affected by more than just diet, including exercise, smoking, alcohol, and sun exposure.

Following are several foods that can lead to wrinkles and negatively impact your teeth and overall appearance.

1. Processed Meats
“If you regularly consume processed meats like hamburgers, sausages, or salami, it's time to cut back. These products contain preservatives that generate free radicals in the body. Free radicals damage cells and DNA, and research has shown they contribute not only to accelerated aging but also to cancer.”

2. Sugar
“Everyone loves sugar, but unfortunately, it can contribute to wrinkles. Like other foods on this list, refined sugar is generally unhealthy and speeds up aging. Sugar damages collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for healthy, youthful skin. Try to reduce your sugar intake, especially refined sugars.”

3. Fried Foods
“Fried foods are full of oils and fats exposed to extremely high temperatures. This process creates free radicals that accelerate aging and increase disease risk. Trans fats, commonly found in fried snacks such as chips, stimulate the production of interleukin-6, a small protein molecule linked to inflammation and aging.”

4. Alcohol
“Excessive alcohol releases free radicals that harm your cells and accelerate aging. It also depletes vitamin A stores in the liver. When mixed with sugary beverages, the impact is understandably worse. Skip the cocktails, and if you're going to drink, opt for wine, champagne, or vodka, which contain less sugar.”

5. Salty Foods
“The average person consumes twice the recommended daily salt intake. Sodium, the main component of salt, causes water retention, which can lead to puffiness and a tired-looking complexion. Salt-heavy foods can also cause dehydration, damage the skin, and may even contribute to DNA aging, according to some studies.”

6. Energy Drinks
“In general, energy drinks are very unhealthy and not  recommended. They contain a high amount of sugar and are highly acidic which damage teeth, leaving them stained and dull. They’re also loaded with caffeine and sodium.”