Beauty starts from inside out and the skin being the largest organ in the body certainly reflects what we put in our mouths and our general health. Boosting the body’s anti-oxidants is single-handedly the most efficient way to look after your skin. Eat right to banish breakouts, restore hydration and protect your skin against environmental damage.
Almonds
A handful of almonds a day does wonders – not only for skin but overall health. These nuts are packed with Vitamin E and act as antioxidants and protects the skin from harmful UV rays.
Kiwis
Forget about oranges, Kiwis are the Vitamin C powerhouse. Aside from the obvious health benefits, Vitamin C helps protect and maintain the collagen production in the skin which will keep skin firm and plump. Did you know that kiwis have 1.5 times the daily amount of Vitamin C recommended?
Berries
Fight free radicals and keep your skin beautiful by loading up on berries. They are high in anti-oxidants which keep inflammation at bay as well as reduce oxidative damage. Time to add strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries to your trolley!
Tomatoes
Lycopene is the reason tomatoes are red but more importantly is a nutrient known to have powerful anti-ageing properties by eliminating the damaging effects of free radicals. The nutrient is at its most potent when tomatoes are heated or cooked – Napolitana sauce anyone?!
Spinach
Folate, a nutrient in leafy greens has the incredible capacity to help cell renewal which is great for cancer prevention. Their powerful antioxidant properties and vitamin E also assist in fading scars, encouraging cell turnover hence slowing down the ageing process.
Tinned Tuna
Who would have thought?! Selenium is the buzz nutrient in Tuna that is also in the antioxidant family. A great skin protector, it stops free radical damage and in turn decelerates the break-down process of elastin which results in loss of firmness.
Carrots
Carrots well know magic nutrient is Vitamin A which has many health boosting properties. They help reduce the risk of skin cancer cells as they play a big role in the development and maintenance of skin cells. It is also believed that a good dose of daily carrots keeps dryness at bay.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are very rich in Vitamin C which assist in skin regeneration and collagen production. With age, skin cell turnover slows down and doesn’t renew itself as fast or effectively as before. Vitamin C will help fight the free radicals that cause inflammation and break down of collagen to restore smoothness.
Oily fish
Fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna contain a high dose of essential fatty acids ie omega-3 and omega-6 which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that ultimately help slowing down the ageing process. Wild salmon specifically contains the highest amount of Omega-3 that helps protect cells against toxins and in turn restores skin to soft and supple perfection.
Olive oil & Avocado
The right types of fat are very important for skin’s health – 20g of fat a day (approximately 2 Tablespoons) ensure skin’s lubrication and also enables the body to absorb Vitamins which are needed to keep optimum skin’s function and health. Delay the ageing process and protect your skin, hair and nails by including these healthy fats in your diet.
Source: Elle SA
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