Foods for Good Skin

What To Eat For Glowing Healthy Skin

The old adage “you are what you eat” not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well. As the largest organ in the body, our skin can benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. In fact, new research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.

While there’s no mistaking how our diet affects our overall health, we’re just beginning to understand how certain foods – or lack thereof – can impact our skin’s health. In fact, recent studies have shown that some food and beverages can even worsen common skin conditions and cause allergic reactions that manifest on the skin.

Good Food, Good Skin
Perhaps the simplest way to maintain a healthy, balanced diet and ensure the skin is getting optimal nutrition from the foods we eat is to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Daily Food Guide, commonly referred to as the food pyramid.

These include:
· Choosing and eating at least three ounces of whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta.
· Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including more dark green and orange vegetables.
· Consuming calcium-rich foods, such as fat-free or low-fat milk and other dairy products.
· Opting for a variety of low-fat or lean meats, poultry and fish.

The foods recommended by the USDA as part of a healthy diet contain valuable vitamins and minerals that have proven health benefits for our bodies. Research has shown that the antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E can protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce damage in skin cells caused by harmful free radicals, which contribute to aging skin. Similarly, we have long known that the B vitamin biotin is responsible for forming the basis of skin, hair and nail cells, and vitamin A – found in many fruits and vegetables – maintains and repairs skin tissue. Without an adequate supply of these vitamins, you may notice it in the appearance of your skin, hair and nails.”

Foods to Eat for Good Skin in Winter
As winter approaches, it’s a great time to explore differnt ways to keep our skin hydrated and healthy during the harsh weather ahead. Here are some wonderful skin foods that will keep your face looking fresh and youthful this season:

Lemon is purifying to the body and gives a lovely glow to the skin when consumed regularly with water (it may also help the body stay regular) or tea.

Apples, especially red delicious and granny smith varieties, are excellent for the skin. Scientific studies have shown them to fortify both collagen and elastin production.

Aloe is known to draw oxygen to the skin and lock it in. Aloe also has fantastic anti-inflammatory properties and it heals burns and wounds when applied topically. Aloe makes a wonderful refreshing juice that cleanses and purifies our inner systems. Regularly drinking aloe helps to keep the body hydrated, so if you drink coffee, which is known to dehydrate the skin, try drinking aloe juice to balance your system.

Cucumber is a well-known classic. Cucumber cools the delicate eye area so try placing a slice over each eye for a relaxing treat.

Green Tea contains polyphenols, which are compounds that demonstrate amazing healing properties, protect skin, help reverses damage and prevent oxidative stress. Drinking green tea regularly is one of the best ways to keep healthy, both inside and out.

Pomegranate like green and white tea is full of polyphenols and contains ellagic acid known for anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Some have said pomegranate can ward off colds or shorten the duration.

White tea is one of the richest in cancer-fighting anti-oxidants in the world. It comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant just like green tea. However, white tea is harvested earlier in spring, air-dried and foregoes the heating process of green tea. Drink white tea to stay healthy and beautiful.

Apricots help keep one youthful as they are known to be an anti-aging fruit. Carotenoids are antioxidants that are found in this fruit that protect the body. Apricots help give your skin that youthful glow, so snack on them often.