We’ve all been told at some point in our lives, just how important nutrition is, and how a well balanced diet can have many benefits, so it is very little surprise that those benefits extend to the skin as well.
Consuming good, healthy food is the key, so you’re going to want lots of fruit and vegetables, including those leafy greens that are just oh so nutritious.
While these fruit and vegetables are good for the whole body, some in particular have definite positive effects of holding back the aging process of the skin, help keeping that youthful blush for longer. Long term eating of them may well help in partly turning back the clock for our skin.
Carrots, Tomatoes and Sweet Potatoes
These are all high in betacarotene which the body converts to vitamin A (retinol). This chemical stimulates skin cell growth which helps build collagen, this is a structural protein present in the skin which is essential for its elasticity.
Not only will your elastin not lose its ‘springy’ nature as fast, but you’ll also probably notice that your skin, in general, wrinkles less and seems to be healthier overall. Carrots are also a great source of fibre, biotin and contain vitamins B6, C and K.
Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Plums.
Recent published studies of these four fruits have between them some of the highest antioxidant properties of any food. The benefits of these foods for healthy skin are that they mop up free radicals and help in the prduction of collagen.
Citrus Fruits ie Oranges, Lemons etc
The pith found in the rinds of citrus fruits are rich in bioflavonoids which is a biologically active compound that can help strengthen the tiny blood capillaries in the skin and prevent unattractive broken veins.
Hazelnuts, Walnuts and Brazilnuts
Nuts are high in essential fatty acids which add to those already naturally present in skin cells.
Collagen that is lost is helped to be replaced by the fatty acids help to keep skin firm. Nuts also have certain anti-inflammatory properties which can help the skin stay smooth and unpimpled.
Kiwi Fruit and Avocado
Both of these are rich in the antioxidant vitamin C, which is a good antioxidant helping to protect the skin against ageing. Avocados also contain essential fats, the building blocks of collagen, a structural protein contained in the skin essential for elasticity. You can try applying mashed up avocado to your skin externally too as this will help in keeping the skin nourished and hydrated.
Olive oil
Cooking your food in extra virgin olive oil rather than standard vegetable oil will help. Olive oil contains strong antioxidants which protect the skin from pollutants. It also combats the oxidising effects of the sun on our skin. This oxidation can trigger more skin cells to die which will leave the skin thinner and speed up the ageing process. Applying extra virgin olive oil to the skin after sun exposure may help to protect the skin against damage although no definitive studies have been carried out.
Green Tea
The benefits of drinking have been well reported and could be higher than any other food that we eat when it comes to the skin. Some recent studies have suggested that it could even have the effect of preventing or reducing the risk of skin cancer.
A study recently published study in the Archives of Dermatology shows that it does not matter if we drink it or apply to the skin exteranlly, green tea can reduce the risk of damage from burning rays of the sun found in ultraviolet light and this can reduce the risk of skin cancer. Green tea is rich in antioxidants which can reduce inflammation and protect cell membranes.
Green tea is also high in polyphenols these are compounds that eliminate cancer causing free radicals. Recent research done at the Medical College of Georgia shows that the type of polyphenol most abundant in green tea namely EGCG for short could act as a fountain of youth of sorts for skin by possibly reactivating dying skin cells. In addition to these skin helping properties, green tea is also high in vitamins C, D and K, plus has riboflavin, zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron which are necessary for the body too.
In Conclusion
Eating these types of food will help to hold back the effects of the passage of time that our skin reflects and keep our youthful looks for longer. There are other ways we can help to keep both our bodies and therefore our skin in great condition.
Anti Aging
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