Edson says people accuse him of cheating but he follows simple rules – including one food every morningNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)
07:52, 05 Feb 2026Updated 07:53, 05 Feb 2026
No-one believes how old Edson really is (Cover Images)
A man who says he looks 30 years younger than his real age says people often accuse him of using Botox, fillers or cosmetic surgery, but he never touches them. Edson Brandao says the truth is actually easier than people think, and anyone can do it.
Edson said: “I’ve never had plastic surgery. I’ve never had Botox. What I have is consistency. Anyone can do this.” Edson is an author, influencer, and digital marketing business owner. He’s built a loyal social media following by encouraging people to take charge of their health at any age.
When he was younger, health wasn’t a priority. That changed when he turned 40. “I realised that ageing wasn’t something that just happens overnight. It’s built by daily habits,” he says. “I knew that if I didn’t start taking care of myself, I would feel it later.”
Edson says it is down to diet and exercise (Cover Images)
Edson committed to a routine and stuck with it. For 18 years, he’s followed the same structure – and he will turn 59 this month. For Edson, exercise is a must. He goes to the gym daily, mixing weight training with cardio.
“It’s not about being extreme,” he explains. “It’s about showing up consistently.”
He believes strength training has helped him keep a youthful look, good energy, and strong posture. Cardio, he says, keeps his heart healthy and his mind sharp. “The body responds to what you ask of it,” he adds. “If you stop asking it to move, it stops responding.”
Edson is just as careful with his food choices. He shares the foods he avoids, not to judge others, but to show how much diet can affect aging from the inside out. On his personal “avoid list” are white bread, sugary cereals, fried foods, fast-food meals, processed cheese, sweets, chocolates, sugary drinks, and ultra-processed snacks.
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“These foods drain your energy and accelerate ageing,” he says. “People want to look young, but they don’t want to change what they eat.”
Instead, Edson focuses on whole foods and fruit, regularly rotating options such as avocado, papaya, figs, berries, oranges, strawberries, blackberries and dragon fruit, depending on what’s available and in season. “Forget Botox. I eat fruit,” he says.
He thinks food should be seen as medicine, not something you try to fix later with pills. “You don’t need supplements to fix a bad diet,” he explains. “You need better food.”
He includes garlic for inflammation, blueberries for brain health, wild salmon for his heart, turmeric to calm his cells, raw honey for immunity, grass-fed liver for nutrients, and pasture-raised eggs as regular parts of his diet.
Edson says anyone can follow the same rules (Cover Images)
Edson keeps his skincare routine simple. One of his most popular habits is using frozen cucumber on his face every day. “It reduces puffiness and refreshes the skin,” he says. “It’s affordable, natural and effective.”
He thinks many people miss out on simple, affordable solutions because they believe youth only comes from products or clinics. Edson also shares foods he believes help support metabolism and reduce stubborn belly fat. These include Greek yoghurt, broccoli, oatmeal, salmon, berries, green tea, olive oil, almonds, avocado, eggs, beans, spinach, quinoa, asparagus, legumes, black coffee, apple cider vinegar, lemon and cayenne chillies.
“This is about nourishment, not punishment,” he says. Edson says his appearance and energy come from what he calls “boring but powerful habits.”
Edson Brandao at 37 years old (Cover Images)
He sleeps on his back to avoid facial creases, uses mouth tape to help him breathe through his nose, dry brushes before showers, and stays hydrated with electrolyte water. He makes sure to get enough fibre for gut health, takes magnesium glycinate at night to help him sleep, keeps his protein intake steady to maintain muscle, and uses a silk pillowcase to protect his skin.
He also journals every day and practises gratitude to help manage stress. “A calm mind supports a younger body,” he explains.
Edson Brandao says exercise is a must. He goes to the gym daily, mixing weight training with cardio (Cover Images)
“Stress ages you faster than time.” One ritual Edson never skips is ginger in the morning.
“It boosts energy, clarity and digestion,” he says. “It sets the tone for the day.” With 2026 underway, Edson hopes his story will help others see aging in a new light.
“This isn’t about trying to look younger than everyone else,” he says. “It’s about feeling strong, confident and alive at any age.”
Edson Brandao at 58, left, and 38 (Cover Images)
He believes it’s never too late to change direction. “The number on your birth certificate doesn’t define your future,” Edson adds. “Your habits do.”
For many of his followers, that message has changed their lives. For Edson, inspiring others matters just as much as looking young. “If I can show people what’s possible then every year that passes is something to celebrate,” he says.
Edson Brandao (Cover Images)
Edson, from Teresina in Piauí, Brazil, posts daily about fitness, food, and lifestyle, followers often say he looks like he’s in his twenties.
