25/10/2016
There is no topical cream, scrub or facial that can rejuvenate your skin like a healthy diet can......
Your best bet for achieving luminous, radiant skin is to incorporate the following list of “radiance foods” into your meal plan.
1. Citrus Fruits:
Vitamin C is an important nutrient for collagen production. Collagen allows your skin and other tissues in the body to maintain its elasticity. As you age, your body reduces collagen production, causing your skin to gradually lose its elasticity and firmness.
That is why eating citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits, which are high in vitamin C, enhances collagen production, making your skin hold onto its firm texture. A great way to incorporate these fruits into your diet is to squeeze the juice from the fresh fruit into a glass of water.
This way, you’re getting hydration and the nutrients from the fruit – a double whammy!
2. Herbal Teas:
Though coffee does offer certain health benefits, helping you maintain a healthy glow is not one of them. That is why, it is recommended to also drink a fair amount of herbal teas, such as green tea.
Herbal teas help to facilitate the body’s removal of toxins by supporting liver function and clearing the lymph nodes.
3. Dark Leafy Greens:
Wrinkle production is significantly slowed down when you eat an adequate amount of dark leafy greens. These vegetables are a highly concentrated source of nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and contain very few calories.
Greens to incorporate in your diet include spinach, kale, collard greens and Swiss chard. Another important factor that influences the appearance of your skin is having good blood circulation throughout your body.
Watercress is a leafy green that contains iron which allows your blood cells to carry oxygen to cells throughout your body, including your skin cells!
4. Cabbage:
Cabbage is an anti-inflammatory rich food that is also high in vitamin A and antioxidants like vitamins C and E. Antioxidants play a major role in preventing premature aging of the skin by inhibiting free radical damage.
The abundance of these nutrients in cabbage also help to lower cortisol levels which, in turn, prevent the rapid breakdown of the skin causing wrinkles and the infamous crow’s feet around the eyes!
5. Tomatoes:
The reason why tomatoes, in particular, are on this list is because of their lycopene content. Lycopene is a phytochemical found in tomatoes, and in even larger quantities in cooked tomatoes, which blocks free radical damage caused by ultraviolet light.
It is quite clear how damaging long term sun exposure can be to your skin, so you definitely want to make tomatoes a “go to” food in your house!
6. Fatty Fish:
You guessed it. The star nutrient in fatty fish that has recently stolen the spotlight is omega-3 fatty acids. There’s a reason why this nutrient gets so much hype!
Omega-3’s are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which can do wonders in the body – especially on the skin. Eating an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids reduces skin irritation, redness and tissue inflammation, while promoting a soft, smooth skin surface.
7. Water-Dense Fruits & Vegetables:
Believe it or not, beverages aren’t your only choice for staying hydrated – foods can help too! Fruits and vegetables that have high water concentrations help to keep you hydrated, which promotes bright, moisturized skin. Foods that contain a lot of water include melons, cucumbers, celery, and radishes.
8. Water, Water, Water:
Last, but CERTAINLY not least is water. Staying hydrated is likely the simplest, most effective change you can make to promote a glowing complexion. If your body is dehydrated, so is your skin, which causes your skin to look dull and dry. Drink up!
Reducing the amount of processed foods in your diet and incorporating some of these beauty foods will give you radiant looking skin before you know it. It is time to ditch the expensive moisturizers and cleansers and make food your go-to beauty product.
