While there are a myriad of products designed to nourish our skin from the outside, nourishing our skin from within is equally important if not more. Although a diversified diet is the best choice for a healthy skin, certain foods can help you get an enviable complexion more than others. Discover the best foods for your skin.
Despite all beauty innovations, the old adage "you are what you
eat" is still as true today as it was when it was first said. Since
our diet has a strong impact on the way our
skin looks, ensuring we get all the necessary nutrients is not only
highly advisable, but also beneficial. Furthermore, nourishing our
skin from within is more cost effective than relying on
conventional beauty products comparing both the overall benefits
and the cost per ounce.
If we take a simple look at some of the ingredients touted to have
anti-aging and skin
repairing properties, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, collagen or
essential fatty acids, we will immediately see that all these
micro-nutrients can be easily and sometimes inexpensively absorbed
through our diet. If you are interested in reaping all the benefits
that a diversified diet can provide, make sure to include some of
the following foods:
Spinach
This leafy green is a fabulous source of antioxidants, iron,
vitamin C, E and K and folate, all of which have an important role
in helping you preserve skin elasticity. Furthermore, spinach also
contains lutein, an important compound that protects your skin
against damage. To be able to better absorb iron, it is recommended
to pair spinach with lemon. It is also commonly believed that
cooking spinach is better than eating it raw in terms of
nutrition.
Chia seeds
The benefits of chia seeds have been discovered relatively recently
by researchers, yet they have quickly become recognized as a
powerful super-food. Chia seeds contain 2 times the protein of any
other seeds or grains, 5 times the calcium of milk, 2 times the
amount of potassium of bananas, 3 times more iron than spinach and
significant amounts of omega-3 and omega-6. Chia seeds also retain
skin moisture, so they are a great ally for your skin.
Seafood
A rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids and zinc, seafood can be
particularly useful for those suffering from acne. Because Omega 3
fatty acids fight inflammation and zinc helps metabolize
testosterone production, influencing the production of sebum and
encouraging the production of new skin cells, it can be highly
beneficial both to teenagers and those who suffer from adult acne.
Soy milk
Soy milk global consumption might not be as impressive as dairy
consumption, however, in terms of skin health benefits, things tend
to be different. Soy milk is rich in isoflavones, compounds that
preserve one of the building blocks of what our skin tends to wear
out with aging, collagen. Studies seem to indicate that this
compound might help ward off wrinkles and help us
get smoother skin overall.
Whole grains
With the high emphasis on whole grains consumption lately, it's not
surprising that whole grains have made it on the skin-enhancing
food list. Some of the main nutrients that help our skin stay
radiant are the vitamins from the B-complex such as biotin which
assists the production of fat cells, thus preventing dry skin.
Moreover, whole grains also contain rutin, an antioxidant that
combats skin damage.
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