The woman known as the “world’s hottest gran” has revealed her secret to combating the signs of ageing.
Gina Stewart, 54, who is often mistaken for being younger than she is, credits oranges for her youthful appearance.
The Playboy model and grandmother-of-three firmly believes that a healthy diet can slow down the ageing process and that simple dietary changes can have significant effects. Speaking to the Mirror about these “anti-aging marvels”, she said: “At 54 I’m not messing around. I’m still young enough to shape up and look good, take care of myself and I’m old enough to know better.
“Our daily food choices can heal and reverse aging to some extent combined with moderate exercise.”
The glamorous content creator singled out oranges as being pivotal to her looks. She said: “Oranges are not only a tasty and refreshing fruit but also a natural powerhouse for promoting health and combating signs of ageing.”
Gina, who hails from the Gold Coast in Australia, listed several ways she believes oranges combat ageing, including their high vitamin C content and their role in collagen production – a protein that helps maintain skin elasticity, reports the Mirror.
They are also touted as being able to reduce visible wrinkles.
Citrus fruits such as oranges and orange juice are packed with vitamin C and come highly recommended by the NHS for their essential roles in “helping to protect cells and keeping them healthy” as well as “maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage”.
Gina also touted oranges for their natural citric acid, claiming it exfoliates dead skin while diminishing dark spots and blemishes. Echoing these sentiments, the NHS acknowledges that the vitamin C in oranges aids in wound healing.
Basking under the Australian sun, Gina highlighted how antioxidants in oranges shield her skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, though experts caution this should not replace sunscreen use.
Additionally, the health influencer outlined a slew of benefits from regular orange consumption: enhancing blood flow, fighting inflammation, and preserving eye youthfulness. Harvard health professionals concur, citing oranges for their anti-inflammatory qualities which can lessen the risk of various chronic diseases.
Dr Frank Hu further emphasised the potency of certain foods and drinks as anti-inflammatory agents saying: “Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects. Choose the right anti-inflammatory foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process.”
Besides oranges, Dr Hu recommended a range of edibles for their inflammation-combatting potential, including tomatoes, olive oil, and fatty fish such as salmon or tuna.
Gina has shared her top tips on harnessing the age-defying powers of oranges, saying: “By incorporating oranges into your daily diet or skincare routine, you can enjoy these powerful anti-aging benefits, giving your skin a radiant glow and your body the vitality it needs to thrive. A simple habit like eating an orange daily could be your best kept secret.”
She divulged details on how she ensures to get her dose of citrus, highlighting that a glass of fresh orange juice minus any added sugars can provide a healthy kickstart to the morning. Additionally, Gina suggested tossing orange slices into oatmeal, yoghurts, or smoothies for added zest.
For an on-the-go snacks, Gina opts for peeled oranges or mandarin slices as a low-calorie option to stave off hunger pangs and keep herself well hydrated. When cooking, she utilises freshly squeezed orange juice in her meat, fish or tofu marinades and sparks up stir-fries with a dash of orange zest.
On the sweeter side, she’s all for indulging in treats like dark chocolate-coated oranges and whipping up a homemade orange sorbet using fresh juice, honey, and some frozen water.
Despite the wide-ranging uses of the citrus fruit, the NHS cautions against excessive vitamin C intake given its potential to trigger stomach pain, diarrhoea, and flatulence. The model and influencer, who rose to prominence following her participation in a Maxim modelling contest in 2019, also infuses herbal tea concoctions with dried orange peels.
Rounding off her advice, Gina emphasised: “As we age it is essential to make healthy choices.”