Age comes for us all and while we can never actually turn back the clock – there are ways we can look younger than we are. One woman who knows this better than most is health guru Gina Stewart.
She is known as the “world’s hottest gran” and is often mistaken for people half her age. Gina attributes her youthful looks to five simple things. None of her methods are costly and she believes they are paramount to her health and wellbeing. The 54-year-old grandmother-of-three, from the Gold Coast in Australia, shares her secrets to slowing down the ageing process.
Oranges
Yes, you heard that right. Gina describes oranges as being “anti-aging marvels”. Last month she told Reach PLC: “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.”
Oranges keep her young in a variety of ways, Gina explains -Credit:Gina Stewart
Tesco sells the fruit for just 30p and Gina said it was her go-to snack because they are rich in vitamin C, an essential for collagen production, which helps maintain skin elasticity and can reduce visible wrinkles. The NHS meanwhile said the citrus fruit has a role in “helping to project cells and keeping them healthy” while “maintaining healthy skin, vessels, bones and cartilage”.
Gina also credited the citric acid in oranges as being useful for exfoliating dead skin and lightening dark spots. Additionally, she said they help maintain healthy blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and keep eyes looking young – a claim supported by Harvard health specialists who cite oranges’ anti-inflammatory properties as beneficial in lowering the risk of chronic diseases.
The influencer, who also enjoys fresh orange without added sugar and having orange segments in oatmeal, yoghurts and smoothies, said: “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.”
No cosmetic enhancements
If you thought Gina was being mistaken for someone younger after spending fortunes on cosmetic enhancements, you would be mistaken. That’s because the gran, who became famous in 2019 after entering a Maxim modelling competition, has a simple cosmetic rule, and it is to leave her face alone. She explained: “I don’t mess with my face. I’ve had no Botox, no filler, and no surgery.”
Hydration
Despite eating healthily and doing regular simple exercises, Gina believes it is equally vital to stay hydrated. Her trick is to have one glass of coconut water every single day – especially during or after a workout.
Gina believes coconut water is key to her staying fit and healthy -Credit: Gina Stewart
She added: “I exclusively drink filtered water from a BPA-free bottle, occasionally enjoying chamomile or green tea for its antioxidant“I [also] end my showers with a cold blast to tighten and refresh my skin.” As well as the cold blast, Gina also moisturises her entire body daily. She uses rose hip oil for her face and caster oil for her neck and eye areas.
Coconut water is high in electrolytes that could help with muscle cramps after exercise and includes potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium. It also contains vitamin C but it may not be suitable for everyone. People with kidney disease, high blood pressure or high sodium levels should check with healthcare professionals before adding it to their diet.
Lemons
Another unexpected 30p snack that Gina believes works wonders is the humble lemon. She even uses the citrus fruit as a substitute to traditional deodorant.
Speaking to the Daily Star, she explained: “I use it as an underarm deodorant and lemons last more than 24 hours better than any deodorant on the market. They give me a complete 24-hour protection without odour and it is 100% natural protection. It is one of the key things for my health and fitness and skin especially and I’d recommend others to do the same because lemons have numerous health benefits.”
Gina, who became a mum at 19, does not just buy lemons to replace Nivea, she uses two lemons for her daily smoothies. She also drinks lemon water because it is high in vitamins and nutrients while being low in calories.
She listed other reasons below:
- Immune system: Vitamin C in lemons helps boost the immune system
- Weight management: Vitamin C in lemons may help with weight management
- Kidney stones: The citric acid in lemons may help prevent kidney stones
- Sore throats: Drinking warm water with lemon and honey can soothe a sore throat
- Skin health: Anti ageing Vitamin C helps the body make collagen, which supports the skin and elasticity
- Dehydration: Drinking lemonade can help prevent dehydration and reduce the risk of heat stroke
Sleep
Finally, Gina believes sleep is also crucial to her appearance, and aims to get seven or eight hours of kip every night.
And Dr Naheed Ali recently spoke to Reach PLC about how consistently getting under six hours a night can be detrimental to your health. He said: “Getting less than six hours of sleep a night might not seem like a huge deal at first. But over time, it can take a serious toll on your mind and body.
“Sleep is when your body really does its best repair work, and therefore cutting it short leaves you running on empty and struggling in ways you might not even realise are connected to your lack of shut-eye.”
Describing what can happen to the body, he added: “Your brain feels it initially. Memory gets unreliable, focus waivers, and decision-making becomes much harder. You’re also more irritable, less productive, and prone to stress.
Over time this can lead to far bigger issues like anxiety or depression. Physically, the effects will soon start to pile up. Sleep deprivation weakens your immune system, so you start craving junk food that only makes you feel worse. As a result, this can lead to weight gain and potentially increase your risk of heart problems.”
