Ask America’s Ultimate Experts
We all want to look and feel younger, and the good news is that you really can slow the hands of time! Our experts share the simple, effective ways to do just that!
Look younger! Stop sun spots with grapes!
“Antioxidants in grapes protect skin cells from the sun’s rays,” confirms nutritionist Jackie Newgent, R.D.N. “So eating grapes can help delay the onset of brown spots and other signs of aging.” Or take a daily 30- mg. dose of grape seed extract supplement, which improved wrinkles, brown spots and sagging in just six months in one study! (One option: Puritan’s Pride Grape Seed Extract, $9.99, Puritan.com.) Important: Always check with your M.D. before taking a new supplement. Avoid wrinkles with avocado! Avocados aren’t just delicious, they’re also chock-full of “healthy monounsaturated fats that help moisturize your skin from the inside out, keeping wrinkles away,” says Newgent. And the creamy fruit’s vitamin E and antioxidants help your skin stave off sun damage. “Just try using mashed avocado in place of butter—you can spread it on toast or use it in baking!”
Stop sagging with broth!
Enjoyed a T-bone steak or roast chicken? Use the leftover bones to make a savory stay-young broth, advises women’s health specialist Sara Gottfried, M.D. “Bones from beef and chicken contain a smorgasbord of amino acid-producing compounds, including collagen, that your body breaks down to improve your skin’s elasticity.” To make: Add the bones to a pot of water, along with a small onion or some cloves of garlic. Simmer at least eight hours. Strain and enjoy!
Think younger! Boost memory with eggs!
An egg a day may keep memory loss away! “Egg yolks are a key source of choline, a nutrient shown to slow age-related memory loss,” explains Newgent. In one study, adults who had the highest level of choline in their blood scored the highest on memory tests. Eggs aren’t just great for breakfast, she adds. “Enjoy them in a spicy curry dish or scrambled with a pinch of chili powder and cumin for meatless tacos!”
Shut down stress!
“Chronic stress increases inflammation and can speed aging over time,” says professor Elissa Epel, PH.D. Luckily, taking steps to shut down stress can help slow cell aging! Epel’s advice: Start the day by taking a moment after you wake up to think of something you’re grateful for or that you’re looking forward to. This simple step can shift you out of the stress mindset! Make time for friends! Good friends do more than make us feel good: “They’re anti-aging!” declares Epel. “Positive social connections reduce stress and slow the aging process.” The proof? Adults who regularly visit friends, attend church or volunteer are physically and mentally healthier than those who don’t, studies show.
Feel younger! Stay strong without sweating!
What’s the best exercise for keeping your muscles young and strong? It’s walking fast for one minute, then slowly for another minute and so on! It’s so easy and so effective, it can even reverse age-related muscle weakness! How? By increasing muscle mass and helping existing muscles use protein more efficiently. To get the most benefit, a 20-minute walk three times a week is all you need.
Build bones with sweet figs!
Sweet, succulent figs are in season now! “Figs have potassium, magnesium and calcium, which work together to keep bones strong and ward off osteoporosis,” says Newgent. Cut figs in half and grill for a stay-young dessert.