Top 10 Foods & Drink That Makes You Look Older - Part [1,2]

You know to wear sunscreen and apply anti-aging creams. But what goes inside your body also plays a role in maintaining your youthful appearance. Read on to see which foods and drinks add years to your skin and smile, and learn which smart swaps to make. Photo by Thinkstock




1. Salt

The white stuff isn't the right stuff to keep wrinkles at bay. Getting more than theAmerican Heart Association's daily recommendation of 1,500 mg of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which "can weaken the skin by affecting collagen," says registered dietitian Jen Brewer, author of Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight. And that can cause wrinkles, especially in thin-skinned areas, like around your eyes, she adds. Salt also can cause puffiness by your eyes, says Heidi Waldorf, MD, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. And there's nothing youthful about puffy peepers. A skin-friendlier way to flavor your food: Use herbs, suggests Brewer.

2. Sugar

Steer clear of that candy jar. Dermatologist Doris J. Day, MD, author of Forget the Facelift, says that sugar can overload what's called the insulin pathway. That affects your blood vessels and accelerates skin's aging process. "If you drop sugar, you'll see a difference within one week," assures Dr. Day. The change: clearer skin and more vibrant skin tone. To satisfy a sweet tooth, turn to fruit, recommends Dr. Day. Since natural sugars are more complex, your body processes them more slowly, avoiding the overload that ages skin.

Related: Try 6 stomach-friendly foods.

3. Coffee

The ultimate pick-me-up packs a double dose of aging elements. Coffee not only stains your teeth, replacing the pearly whites of your younger years, but also dehydrates your body, causing skin to dry out and look less youthfully plump. Plus, wrinkles around eyes become more prominent when the body's not properly hydrated. Dr. Waldorf admits that coffee can be a necessity of a busy life, so if you're jonesing for a jolt, be sure to moisturize properly, she advises. Or consider drinking green tea. It's an excellent antioxidant and less dehydrating, thanks to its lower caffeine content.

4. Alcohol

Love your nightly red wine? According to Dr. Day, booze pulls water out of your cells. "This causes you to look puffy around the eyes," she says, which ultimately makes you look older. Another reason liquor can give you a lickin': You may be tempted to reach for salty bar snacks, like chips and pretzels, while you're drinking. And you already know what salt can do. Counteract alcohol's dehydrating effects by drinking one extra glass of water (above the 64 oz of fluids you already should be consuming daily) for every alcoholic beverage.

5. Red Meat

It's a staple of most Americans' diets, but a recent study from Cleveland Clinic's Wellness Institutesuggests that eating it more than once a week is linked to wrinkling, as well as serious health risks. According to the research, the high level of carnitine, a compound abundant in animal protein, can harden blood vessel walls, causing skin to crease prematurely. Dr. Day says that red meat can be a good source of vitamin B12, which is crucial for red blood cells and brain function. But seafood and many dairy products are also rich in the vitamin. The bottom line: If you're a red meat lover, indulge on a limited basis.

Related: Check out 20 easy ways to burn more fat.
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