The skin is the packaging in which the human body comes in. And that means that when the cover is damaged or weak, the contents inside start to feel the effect of it. Our skin/face is also the first thing that people see, and no matter what we say about not judging books by their cover, it’s in the nature of a human being to evaluate or ‘judge’ a person by how they look at first glance.
Nobody wants to look older, and all of us want to stay free of skin diseases. And until the fountain of youth is discovered, our only option is to take of our skin. One of the ways to do this is by eating food that will help make your skin look and feel younger through their numerous health benefits. Here are 12 such fruits:
1. Bell peppers & Broccoli
Collagen is essentially the scaffolding that holds the bones, skin and other organs together in a human body. It is also responsible for renewing old skin cells, thereby keeping them young, firm, and supple. It also determines the elasticity of the skin, and helps you look younger by keeping wrinkle -free. Vitamin C, which is present in abundance in bell peppers and broccoli, helps increase the production of collagen. Eating about ½ a cup of cooked bell peppers or broccoli might be the answer to your prayers. It will help keep your skin free of dryness and age-related skin problems at bay.
2. Tomatoes
The redness of a tomato comes from the red carotenoid pigment called lycopene, which is what makes it a good thing to eat for healthy skin. Studies issued by the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics found those with higher concentrations of lycopene to have smoother skin. Lycopene also has properties which help protect your skin from harmful UV-rays. Other fruits that contain lycopene are carrots, watermelon, guava and pink grapefruits.
3. Wild Salmom
Fish is something that should be a part of your diet at least 2-3 times a week anyway. Wild salmon in particular is the best option for better looking skin. It is full of omea-3 fatty acids, which provide you with a whole host of health benefits, including soft and supple skin, as well as, long and breakage-free hair.
4. Romaine Lettuce
Lisa Drayer, the author of The Beauty Diet, says that the mineral potassium in romaine lettuce “gives skin a refreshing boost of nutrients and oxygen by improving circulation.” Romaine lettuce is full of Vitamin A, which helps increase the rate in which new skin cells form, giving you younger and shinier looking skin. It also contains Vitamin K, which stimulates a protein that aids in vascular health. Eating about 6 leaves of Romaine lettuce per day will fulfil your daily need for Vitamin A by more than a 100% and 45% of Vitamin K.
5. Coffee
A lot of people love coffee and rely on it to be their daily pick-me-up in the mornings. But it might have another hidden benefit that you will also definitely love: it makes you look younger! But getting you Instagram-ready isn’t coffee’s only benefit. The European Journal of Cancer Prevention published the result of a study involving 93,000 women. They found that those who drank a cup of coffee per day ended up reducing their risk of developing skin cancer by 10 percent. Decaf didn’t seem to have the same effect, so the next time you pick up that cup of coffee, don’t feel guilty about it!
6. Strawberries
Just like broccoli and bell peppers, strawberries contain loads of Vitamin C, which keeps your skin soft, hydrated, and wrinkle-free. A cup of these delicious berries contains about 150% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C, so there’s your excuse for gorging down a cup of strawberries every day!
7. Papaya
I’m sure you’ve seen tutorials on homemade papaya face masks or cosmetic products announcing the healthy properties of papaya to your skin. You can also get the same benefit by eating it; bonus for being delicious and filling you up! Papayas are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants that help protect your skin against harmful UV rays that may damage your skin cells.
8. Tofu
Tofu is rich in isoflavones, a polyphenolic compound that helps preserve your skin by enhancing collagen production and providing protection against the sun. A study conducted on mice by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that mice that were fed a diet rich in isoflavones ended up having smooth and wrinkle-free skin when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, when compared to mice that didn’t eat as much isoflavones.
9. Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The more you learn about the beneficial properties of these delicious fruits, the more you are inclined to believe the cliché-sounding phrase. A flavanol called quercetin that is present in apples is a powerful antioxidant that that protects the skin cells against destructive UV rays and skin cancer that could form as a result of them. But if you’re going to eat an apple, make sure to eat it with the peel, as this is where most of the quercetin and fiber is present!
10. Tuna
Tuna, like wild salmon, is another great option to go to for lots of omega-3 fatty acids, namely a fat called EPA (eicosatetraenoic acid). This helps regulate the production of collagen which keeps your skin younger and free of disease. Other than beautiful-looking skin, eating fatty fish has also been found to be good for your cardiovascular health and fertility.
11. Cocoa
Whoever told you chocolate give you pimples is wrong! There are a whole host of health benefits to be gained from cocoa like better scalp and hair, as well as gorgeously healthy skin. A flavonoid present is cocoa called epicatechin is the main reason for this, as it increases blood supply, stimulating oxygen supply and nutrients. But of course, these health benefits would be lost if you gorge on sugary chocolates. Instead choose good quality dark chocolate with minimum sugar, milk, and other additives.
12. Sweet potatoes
Beta-carotene present in sweet potatoes is converted into Vitamin A once it enters your body. As a result, it helps in fighting against age-related skin problems as well as getting rid of free radicals. So, eating sweet potatoes will give you healthy glowing skin. Other beta-carotene rich fruits and vegetables include carrots, mangoes, and cantaloupe.
