Health
Eat Right to Avoid Wrinkles
ThirdAge Reproductive Expert
"You are what you eat," goes the old adage. Now, an international study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition indicates that the saying may be more than just a cliché.
Doctors from Australia's Monash University examined 453 subjects enrolled in the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) "Food Habits in Later Life" study. All participants were residents of Australia, Greece or Sweden.
The researchers aimed to discover if food and nutrient intakes could retard the wrinkling process. To this end, subjects had their wrinkles measured, and filled out a questionnaire assessing their eating habits.
The Swedish had the least wrinkles, not surprising given their residence in northern latitudes. They were followed by the Greeks, while the Australians were the most wrinkled. However, within each nationality, those who ate specific groups of foods -- and avoided others -- had significantly fewer wrinkles.
So, what foods may foster great-looking skin? Researchers stated that a high intake of vegetables, legumes and olive oil -- foods abundant in the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E -- seemed to protect against sun damage. The Australians in particular also appeared to benefit from a diet high in prunes, apples, and tea.
Alternately, a high intake of meat, dairy and butter products seemed to be associated with skin damage.
