Forty’s the new 30, huh? Well, if you keep eating these foods, your 40 year old self will look like it’s 50. Some of these foods have been found to increase wrinkles, induce obesity, shut down organ functions, and make you sick. Take look and start cleaning out your kitchen of these foods today.
1. Canned Soup
We know, we know — chicken soup for the soul, right? Well, not if it’s canned. A cutting-edge study published in 2013 found a connection between high blood pressure and skin aging. Compared to their older-looking counterparts, female study participants with fewer wrinkles also had lower blood pressure. U.S. guidelines call for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, but many popular cans carry 40 percent of the day’s recommended salt intake in just one serving. So what to eat instead? Hmmm, try homemade soup, there’s an idea.
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2. Diet sodas
Stop thinking that dark sodas are worse for you. Both are pretty bad. Drinks like Mountain Dew and Fresca may look less chemical filled than cola because of their lighter hue, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Instead of caramel coloring—the chemical that makes Coke brown—Diet Mountain Dew and Fresca are colored with brominated vegetable oil, a chemical used in rocket fuel and flame retardants. It has been shown to have negative effects on thyroid hormones and fertility, a primary health concern of people in their 30s. Added chemicals like BVO can contribute to internal inflammation, which has been linked to obesity.
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3. Sugar Free Snacks
Think you’re doing better by eating “sugar free?” Think again. If you’ve become thicker around the middle since turning 30, it may be a sign that your liver isn’t functioning optimally. Avoiding toxins like artificial sweeteners will help the vital organ work more efficiently, and in turn, slim your middle. To jump-start the detox process, kick foods make with fake sweeteners (like sugar-free gum, candies, and snacks) to the curb and go for low sugar or things made with real/raw sugar.
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4. Salami and Hot Dogs
Men to pay special attention to this: A 2014 study published in the journal Epidemiology found an association between eating processed meats like salami and hot dogs and lower sperm count. And interestingly enough, the meat’s saturated fat content—a nutrient previous associated with poor sperm quality—wasn’t to blame. For a safe bet, limit the amount of processed meat you consume. Try to get all-natural and grass-fed–both of which limit the number of hormones you’ll be eating.
