The saying that you are what you eat may actually hold true when it comes to looking more youthful and vibrant.  “There are things that you can put in your body that will make you look better, feel better and look younger,” says Dr. Julie Swindler, bariatric physician at Medical Bariatrics of Lexington.  

You can incorporate drinking more water into your day or even doubling your current consumption.  “Every cell in your body requires water to be functional and the degeneration that happens with aging of cells occurs at a faster rate if the cell is dehydrated,” says Swindler.  It is the same as having a plant and electing not to water it.  Water keeps cells full and makes your skin look fresh and wrinkle-free.  “Water increases your energy so you will be able to do exercise which will make you look younger,” says Swindler.  A final benefit of water is the positive impact on wellness.  “It can help decrease headaches, heal injuries quickly, decrease achy joints and muscles and decrease hot flashes,” says Swindler. 

Another trick is to increase fiber, as most Americans are not getting the recommended amount.  Fiber not only speeds up how fast food moves through your colon but keeps you looking young.  “It helps regulate blood sugar, which in effect decreases your hormonal insulin levels,” says Swindler.  “If your hormonal insulin level is decreased, inflammation in your body decreases and it is the inflammation in your body that adds to the aging effect.”  A final benefit of fiber is that it absorbs water and makes you feel full and eat less.  Ultimately, people end up losing weight.  An ideal body weight helps your cells work better and more effectively, and is one of the top things that are attributed to helping people look younger. 

To fend off aging, reduce bad fat intake.  Trans fats are toxins to the body.  Processed and fried foods have preservatives in addition to being high in trans fat.  “Foods high in bad fats cause weight gain which is associated with increased aging and free radicals, which can add to the aging effect,” says Swindler. 

Healthy fats like monounsaturated fats are found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils.  These help you look young.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are also good choices.  “Spinach is a top one and garlic is a really good one,” says Swindler.   Certain fruits have antioxidant effects like pomegranates and blueberries.  “They help decrease the toxins that come from other chemicals in food that we eat so they help get rid of free radicals that cause damage and aging to the body,” says Swinlder.  Other fruits lower in sugar include raspberries, strawberries and kiwis. 

Stay away from unhealthy behaviors.  You should avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.  “They have bad toxin effects to the body and inhibit the absorption of calcium into your bones so it speeds up bone loss.  When you start getting bone loss, you get the curved back, which shortens your stauture from poor posture, and more aches and pains throughout the body which adds to the aging effects,” says Swindler.  Caffeine can make people nervous and tense, which adds to the aging effect.  Alcohol increases blood pressure and damages the liver.  

Though aging is inevitable, nutrition can help to slow it down.  “When the inside of your body is healthier, the outside of your body looks healthier and youthful,” says Swindler.  Just because you have a chronological age does not mean that you have to look a particular way.  Some people may look twenty years older than they are while others look twenty years younger.  “The bottom line is that you have the power and control, and the healthier you become the better you get to your ideal weight,” says Swindler.  With weight loss, you may find yourself looking and feeling younger and having more energy.  “You cannot change the actual date you were born but you can certainly change how you look,” says Swindler.