6 Best Foods for Healthy Skin

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu · 2010-08-17T18:37:51+00:00

Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, and Lindsay Lohan: What do these women have in common? Theyve all been embroiled in tabloid-worthy scandals. But what else? They all look good, even when the press isnt. Thats because they have what so many of us strive for: Perfect skin. So, whats the secret? How do some of us achieve the golden hue of Halle Berry while the rest of us get stuck with a scaly patchwork of blotches, pimples, and dry spots? Some of its genetic, sure, but thats not the whole story. If you listen to the conventional wisdom coming from the pharmaceutical companies, you might think the problem is that you just havent discovered the right cream, ointment, or alcohol-soaked cleansing pad to clear up your face. But those are solutions of last resort. What you need is a preventive strategy, one that involves nurturing the complex balance of nutrients that feed your skin and nurture your inner glow. In other words, if you want the kind of skin that looks good even through a Hollywood scandal, youve got to eat right. Here are six foods that will have you looking your best. And dont forget to follow me on Twitter for more quick-hit health tips that draw on everything I've learned in more than a decade as editor for Men's Health and Women's Health. 1. SALMON Salmon is an ideal food for many reasons, but as far as your skins concerned, theres only one that matters: Its among the worlds greatest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Those are the essential fats that, along with bolstering the cognitive powers of your brain, concentrate in the walls of your epidermal cells to help lock in moisture. Plus, in one study, researchers supplemented two groups of mice with either omega-3 or omega-6 fats. After two weeks, the skin of the omega-3-fed group exhibited a 20 percent faster recovery rate from exposure to ultraviolet light. That gives salmon two crucial skin boons: keeping your skin from looking dry and helping it battle the dangers of excessive sunlight. Other omega-3 foods: sardines, walnuts, flaxseed Bonus Tip: Sushi is one of my favorite ways to eat salmon. Use our Ultimate Sushi Selector to make sure your sushi roll doesnt turn into a belly roll. 2. CARROTS Carrots are teeming with tiny orange pigments called beta-carotene, and when you ingest those pigments, youre inviting them to nestle into your skin, fill in blotches, and give you a healthy glow. And whats more, research shows that this can actually help prevent premature aging from sun damage. But is the accumulation of orange in your skin going to make you look like an extra from Jersey Shore? Well, hopefully not. But eating excessive loads of carotene-rich foods can lead to a condition called carotenosis, wherein your skin stops looking healthy and starts looking, well, orange. But the conditions is rare, so unless you notice yourself turning into a prison jumpsuit, feel free to chow down. Other beta-carotene foods: sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, red grapefruit 3. AVOCADO One study published by The Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that people with higher intakes of olive oil had fewer wrinkles than people with higher intakes of butter. The reason: Butter is loaded with saturated fat, while olive oil is rich in monounsaturates, the same essential fats that make up more than 50% of the calories in an avocado. So why eat avocado over olive oil? Both are good, but avocados have the added bonus of B vitamins, which also help to keep your skin looking vibrant and smooth. Other monounsaturated-fat foods: olive oil, almonds, peanut butter Bonus Tip: These foods are only the tip of the super-food iceberg. Click here for 15 more Foods that Cure. 4. BEANS Legumes, to be more precise. This is the class of plants that includes black beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, and peanuts. And how do these puny pods protect your face? By smoothing out wrinkles. Australian researchers analyzed the diets of more than 400 elderly men and women and found that high intakes of legumesalongside vegetables and healthy fatsresulted in 20% fewer wrinkles over time. The effect is likely a result of isoflavonespotent antioxidantsconcentrated in the beans. Other isoflavone-rich foods: alfalfa, tempeh, tofu 5. GRAPES Besides providing protection from heart attack and stroke, antioxidants called polyphenols found in grapes can also help keep middle-aged skin from sagging. Thats because polyphenols improve skins elasticity by strengthening collagen, the primary protein in skins innermost layer. Other polyphenol-rich foods: grape juice, blueberries Bonus Tip: Heres another easy way to tighten your skin and improve your looks: Lose 5 pounds. Start here: 10 simple weight-loss strategies that work. 6. WATER Okay, its not as fun to drink as wine, but water is the strongest weapon you have against lifeless skin. Thats why they call it moisturizingbecause youre trying to lock moisture, aka water, into your skin. To put it broadly, all the bodys processes rely on hydration, so if youre not sipping throughout the day, youre likely to have a slower metabolism, groggier head, and, yes, drier skin. One study suggested that it takes a mere half-liter of water to create a measurable increase in the capillary blood flow to your bodys outer layer. Thats just over 16 ounces. Try doing that a few times a day and youll have a face like a babys bottom in no time. Other water-rich foods: watermelon, peaches, celery Bonus Tip: Certain foods can fortify your heart, bones, muscles, and brain as well. Click here for 40 Foods with Superpowers. Source: 6 Best Foods for Healthy Skin

Thread starter Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu
Start date Aug 17, 2010

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

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6 Best Foods for Healthy Skin

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