There are all kinds of foods that help tighten skin! When it comes to skin health, it matters what going into your body even more than it matters what you put on your body. There are all kinds of products meant to keep you looking young and they can be helpful, for sure. But the truth is, your skin is your body’s largest organ and it is an outward reflection of the condition of the inside of your body.
Of course, an aging appearance is a natural part of getting older and we all start losing skin elasticity as collagen production slows down somewhere in our 30 or 40s. But the rate of that aging is accelerated or slowed down most effectively by the food and drinks we consume.
How Diet Affects Aging
How our dietary choices affect aging is a complex topic, but there is plenty of evidence to show that what we consume has a significant impact on how quickly we age. Consistently eating a diet low in nutrients but high in fat, salt, and sugar, such as processed foods, is the best way to speed up the aging process. These foods are strongly tied to chronic diseases that are associated with aging.
The most important part of any diet is its nutrient content. A diet consisting of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, and lean proteins can provide the body with the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs to fight off disease and promote healthy aging. Reducing inflammatory foods in our diets like processed foods and added sugars can help reduce inflammation, which is also associated with the development of chronic diseases associated with aging.
Studies have shown that consuming foods high in unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and fish, can help reduce inflammation and protect against age-related illnesses. Eating foods high in fiber, such as whole grains and vegetables, can also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
What we drink also has a strong impact on our aging process. Regular water intake helps to flush toxins from the body, keep organs functioning properly, and support healthy skin and joints. Additionally, drinking green tea or other herbal teas can provide additional antioxidants, which can help to prevent age-related diseases. We’ll talk about this more below with the foods that help tighten skin.
Physiological Age
Physiological age, also known as biological or real age, is a term used to describe the biological age of a person, based on lifestyle factors and lifestyle-related health risks. This is a much more accurate measurement of a person’s health than chronological age. Chronological age simply takes into account the number of years you have been alive. Physiological age, or biological age, is how old your cells. It’s a measure of how quickly your cells are aging.
Some people’s chronological age and physiological age are the same, while others’ physiological age is much older than their chronological age. What’s the difference? Dietary choices. A bad diet can make you as much as fourteen years older biologically than the average American. A healthy diet, on the other hand, can make you as much as 13 years younger biologically than the average American. That’s a difference of twenty-seven years!
Foods That Help Tighten Skin
The most important thing to remember for your health is that you need a balanced diet. All of these articles about foods that do this and foods that do that can sometimes make us want to eat an abundance of certain foods and neglect other good foods that have an important place in our diets. These are just examples of foods that should be a part of a balanced diet.
You don’t need to eat a plethora of these foods to get the effects. Just incorporate them into a balanced diet. I can’t say that enough. You want your diet to be rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats because they are essential for a healthy body. It just so happens that foods that are high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats are also foods that help tighten skin and prevent premature aging.
1. Avocados
Avocados are high in healthy fat, which can help to keep the skin firm and elastic. They are also high in vitamin C, which helps to build collagen, a protein that keeps skin looking firm and healthy. Avocados also contain some amino acids which help repair damaged skin and improve overall skin health.
2. Nuts
Nuts are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation and keep skin supple and hydrated. Nuts are good for dry skin but remember these are high in fat. Even though it’s a healthy fat, moderation is still important. Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are especially good for skin health. They are also high in vitamin E which is a healthy nutrient to reduce skin inflammation and heal the skin from excessive exposure to UV rays.
3. Berries
Berries are packed with antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. They also help to reduce inflammation and keep skin looking firm. Antioxidants are the key to fighting oxidative stress that damages your cells and age you biologically. Berries are one food that you would seriously benefit from eating on a daily basis, especially blueberries. Berries will help give you tighter skin but, more importantly, they are major players in the fight against chronic disease.
4. Green Tea
This is another potent antioxidant source. Green tea is rich in antioxidants that help to protect the skin from free radical damage and keep it looking young. It also contains polyphenols, which can help to reduce inflammation and keep the skin hydrated. Green tea is also high in vitamin C but the effects of that are lost once the tea is brewed because of the temperature it reaches. It’s better to get your vitamin C from another vitamin C rich food like fruit. Another option would be to use a green tea facial mask.
5. Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruits are another food in the powerful antioxidant category. They are high in vitamin C, which helps to build collagen and increase skin firmness. Lemons and limes are especially good for skin tightening for a more youthful appearance.
6. Fish
Fish are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation and keep skin healthy. Salmon, tuna, and mackerel are all great sources of these healthy fats.
7. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats, which help to make the skin look firmer and more elastic. Careful with this one though, especially if you have a weight loss goal. While it is a source of healthy fats, the health benefits can be outweighed by the fact that it’s a highly processed oil with an extremely high concentration of calories. There are healthier ways to get monounsaturated fats such as just eating whole olives that contain all of their nutrients, including the very important fiber.
8. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Tomatoes also offer vitamin C and vitamin A, both of which contribute to healthier looking, firm skin.
9. Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy green vegetables are high in vitamins E C, A, and K all of which help to keep skin looking firm and reduce inflammation. Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are all great options.
10. Tuber Vegetables
Potatoes and sweet potatoes are great for producing hyaluronic acid in the body. Hyaluronic acid reduces wrinkles and lines because it helps the skin flex and stretch by increasing the moisture your skin retains.
11. Water
Water is one of the most important things you can consume for healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep the skin hydrated, which helps to keep it looking youthful and firm. It is true that you need to drink water regularly for this effect on your skin hydration, but there is no proof in research that drinking excess water has any impact on your skin’s hydration or appearance. That means you just need to drink a healthy amount of water 8-11 cups per day, don’t overdo it.