Thankfully, nature provides us with super foods that can help us glow and look radiant, typically a sign of health and vitality. For example, those with antioxidants, the health-protecting complexes found in plant-based foods, are important as they stop damage to the body’s cells. While stocking up on healthy foods and drinks can aid in cleansing our bodies of toxins, there are undoubtedly other things to take into consideration when it comes to treating our skin kindly. These include staying away from cigarettes, keeping hydrated, investing in some quality time to eliminate stress, limiting coffee and tea intake and getting the right amount of sleep.
While working on those, here’s a list of foods to add to your shopping basket for skin that looks super fresh and well maintained…
Aside from being delicious, this fruit is rich in antioxidants and is high in vitamin E, both of which help protect the skin. Avocado helps in regenerating skin cells, which give your skin a healthier complexion. Make sure to add avocado in your smoothies, salads and sandwiches; it will add a great twist as well as help you achieve your beauty goal.
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Blueberries
These small, blue, juicy balls contain cancer-preventing antioxidants called anthocyanin. This fruit is also bursting with vitamin C and dietary fibre, which plays a vital role in bone health and metabolism. Blueberries also contain certain minerals that can help you attain good-looking skin. High in potassium, these berries also help fight puffiness. According to some studies, blueberries may even help slow or reverse neurological degeneration, improve memory, restrict the growth of cancer cells and reduce inflammation.
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Dark chocolate
Chocolate that contains over 70 percent cocoa is usually full of proteins and Vitamin B. Plus, the extremely high concentration of antioxidant flavanols in cocoa beans helps reduce inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to UV light. Furthermore, eating dark chocolate can increase circulation in the skin and improve its ability to retain moisture, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help you look fresher. What’s more, it’s good for your hair and tastes great!
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Green vegetables
When it comes to eating greens, the darker the colour, the better for you they are. They are filled with a plethora of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like lutin and zeaxanthin, which have also been shown to protect against the negative effects of UV exposure and help build and repair the skin’s cells. These veggies can also help control weight and help fight heart diseases. Greens such as kale, spinach and broccoli are a great choice of healthy food, which you can mix with your regular dishes or be creative with new dishes. Even better, drinking a green smoothie every morning provides you with the energy you need to make it through the day.
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Kidney beans
The US Department of Agriculture ranked these beans as the third most antioxidant-rich food. As antioxidants have strong anti-ageing properties and promote longevity by limiting damage caused by free radicals, they can protect the skin from problems caused by environmental factors. Flavonoids represent one of the most important classes of antioxidants, and red kidney beans are exceptionally rich in them. What’s more, they are full of fibre, folate, protein, magnesium and potassium and help reduce the risk of any heart diseases.
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Prunes
These dark purple dried fruits are known for being good laxatives and are used in natural digestive remedies. They are a formidable rejuvenating food, even though they have wrinkly skin and may not be as attractive as dried apricots or raisins. And they just happen to be packed with potassium, fibre, antioxidant phytochemicals, as well as iron and vitamin A.
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Turmeric
Beauty gurus know the secrets behind the health promoting properties of this great spice that contains the highly effective antioxidant called curcumin. As well as for skin care, use this spice in your diet to keep your brain young and healthy. Studies say it helps preserve memory and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, while protecting you from heart disease and cancer.
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Nuts
Munching on nuts will provide your body with a good source of vitamins and minerals. This includes potassium, which helps lower blood pressure; vitamin E, which helps prevent cell damage; calcium to maintain strong bones and the mineral selenium, which helps improve skin elasticity. In fact, selenium is a potent antioxidant, which helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and prevents premature ageing. These small nutrient-rich foods also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health.
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Whole grains
They offer an array of anti-ageing elements, from fibre, which helps rid the body of unwanted substances, to protein to iron. A diet rich in whole grains, including oats, whole wheat and brown rice has other rejuvenating benefits because they’re rich in vitamins and minerals. But perhaps just as significantly, they are the best appetite-satisfying alternative to refined, white carbohydrates. Make sure to stay away from white based foods that are high in simple carbs and can lead to heart disease, obesity and general malaise. Eating whole grains has also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.