If you are wondering why all of a sudden you look like you’ve lived fifty five years even when the last time you checked you were still thirty, then something must have gone wrong. If you are certain about your age and yet your skin is telling you a different story you might need to reassess your pantry and evaluate your weekly food menu because experts are insisting that your food choices could be the reason why you look older than you actually are.

Ariel Ostad, MD, fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology says, “What you eat affects your skin – for better or worse,” as reported by Kiera Aaron at Health.com. This could very well be the reason why you are seeing wrinkles, crow’s feet and fine lines at an early age. Basically, what you put inside your body is just as important as what you put on it. Bottom line is that what you eat significantly alters your skin and if you want your skin to look good as it is the closest thing to feeling young again you need to take a look at our list of top four foods that are making you old. While there are super foods inclined to make you look young there are also notorious foods that can make you look like a sagging weathered hag and this is what we want you to avoid.

1. Red Meat

Nine out of ten people prefer red meat because it is succulent and juicy; but do you know that red meat contains high amounts of carnitine? Carnitine can harden the walls of your blood vessels causing premature aging. Instead of giving in to your red meat cravings why not choose healthier and skin-friendly alternatives like well seasoned vegetables or perhaps veggie meat? If you want to look good you need to be creative and learn to think outside the box. If you can’t get your hands on a meaty steak choose a different course and season it to make it flavorful. 

2. Salty Food

Seasoning your food should also be monitored because experts say that salt, especially iodized salt, is bad for your skin because it causes your tissues to swell and it helps exacerbate acne. Instead of adding too much salt you can add a few spices and herbs to give your meals a balance of flavors.

3. Sugary Food

For most of us, it has become customary to ask for dessert after meals but do you know that having too much sugar in your system jump starts a process that doctors refer to as glycation? In theory, when you consume more sugar than your cells can handle the excess sugar attaches with proteins which then creates advanced glycation end products or referred to as AGES. Imminently, AGES will damage the collagen of your skin and as a result your skin will look old and dull. Instead of indulging in sugary treats why not substitute natural Stevia for sweetener in your dessert foods.

4. Caffeine

Fight the urge to make yourself another cup of java if you want your skin to look young. Caffeine severely dehydrates your skin because it is a diuretic. Caffeine dries out your skin and it causes an increase of cortisol production. More cortisol in your system means faster aging making your skin look fragile and thinner.

Ignorance is not an excuse. After reading this blog, I urge you to indulge in these foods in moderation and never again in excess, unless you’re a big fan of wrinkles and fine lines, then go ahead.