As we age, much attention has been given to the negative effects of excessive UV radiation & tobacco smoke on our skin. Avoidance of these stressors makes for better looking and healthy skin.
But what about the effects of diet on our skin? Is it possible to have healthier skin, fewer wrinkles ,and a more vibrant glow from what we eat?
There are indeed some foods that are considered favorable to our health and this includes skin. Here are a few examples.
Pomegranates for Healthy Skin
The antioxidants in pomegranate show promise in helping protect against some types of cancer, including skin cancer. Eat more pomegranates for healthy skin. To learn now to cut a pomegranate, see this article on Simply Recipes.
Spinach protects
According to one Australian study, spinach, kale and other dark green leafy vegetables are packed with folic acid; vitamins A, C and E; and other components that boost the skin’s natural defense against UV-caused damage.
Whole-wheat bread, muffins, & cereals; turkey, tuna and brazil nuts.
The mineral selenium connects all these foods for healthy skin.
Tea Helps Prevent Wrinkles
Drink one to two cups of green or black tea a day to protect against sunburn, prevent wrinkles and possibly reduce the risk of skin cancer as much as 30 percent, several studies suggest. Polyphenols in green tea have anti-inflammatory properties that may also be beneficial to skin health overall.
Berries for Healthy Skin
Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums. The common link between these four foods is their high antioxidant content which helps protect against damage from free radicals.
Flaxseed is a Good Fat
Flaxseed’s abundance of omega-3 fatty acids — best known as the “good” fats that protect your heart — helps “plump” skin by attracting water to skin cells.
Salmon, Walnuts, Canola Oil
These seemingly unrelated foods all deliver essential fatty acids, and thus are key foods for healthy skin.
Sweet Potatoes May Minimize Sunburn Damage
Few foods contain more beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A known to prevent — or at least minimize — sunburn damage in people who are sun-sensitive.
Tomatoes helps reduce ‘red’
They’re rich in lycopene, a UV-protecting compound that gives tomatoes their red color .In various studies, sunburn protection increased as much as 40 percent among those who eat the equivalent of five tablespoons of tomato paste daily for up to three months.
Dark Chocolate tastes good & good for you
In addition to protecting against heart disease, stroke and other conditions, the bounty of flavonols in dark chocolate may bolster resistance to sunburn and other damage caused by UV exposure by increasing circulation and boosting hydration.
While there is no ‘magic diet’ to keep skin from aging, paying attention to our diet can have very important protective consequences.