This story has been adapted from the Huffington Post
GOOD skin: It’s something we all want, but often don’t have — and it might be because of what you’re eating.
So before you toss back comfort foods like hot dogs, chips or beer, think about how it might affect how you look and feel — and no, we don’t mean your waistline.
“It’s not just the sun that can age your skin,” Paula Simpson, a biochemist and holistic nutritionist who specialises in supplement formulation for skin health, told the Huffington Post.
“Diet influences skin at the cellular level, and since skin is our largest organ, it’s also the first to show nutrient deficiency.”
In order to keep a healthy glow inside and out, Simpson stresses eating well and hydrating correctly. Read on for her list of foods that will help you look and feel your best:
1. Watermelon
Maximise your watermelon consumption in the summertime.
This symbol of summer is around 90 per cent water, which hydrates the body. “It’s loaded with vitamin C, which is required for healthy collagen production,” Simpson said. Its antioxidant properties make it “a free radical scavenger,” she says, which helps prevent signs of ageing.
2. Berries
Have berries as dessert instead of ice-cream.
Fresh produce like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are delicious in their prime, but Simpson really loves them because they’re packed with antioxidants, which can protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
3. Pineapple
Ripe, delicious pineapple!
Along with vitamins and minerals, this tropical fruit contains bromelain, thought to fight inflammation. Lessening inflammation also brings comfort for people with sunburn, Simpson says, which can occur all year round — so remember to slip slop slap, even in winter.
4. Citrus Fruits
Pop some lime in your water or tea.
Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, mandarins — name a citrus fruit and it’s probably good for your skin, says Simpson. Their vitamin C and amino acids, like proline and lysine play a role in collagen production, which can keep skin looking young.
5. Cucumber
Cucumber has multiple uses.
We’ve all seen cucumber used to relieve puffy eyes, but Simpson points out you should be consuming cukes for healthy skin, too. Cucumbers are mostly water, so they hydrate and replenish the body and skin.
6. Tomatoes
Simpson calls tomatoes “the perfect food to protect skin cells,” thanks to their lycopene, which not only promotes collagen production but also fights off fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Dandelion Greens
If dandelion greens aren’t already a part of your salad mixes, they should be, notes Simpson. You can also get dandelion root in tea form, which you should drink instead of coffee. You’ll get more than your daily dose of vitamins A and K, as well as a good deal of collagen-producing C. It’s also used for skin conditions like acne and eczema, according to WebMD.
8. Salmon
Seafood is always a tasty option, and Simpson suggests ordering salmon if you want your skin to appear dewy and plump. The omega-3 fatty acids in the fish are a key component of how skin cells regulate oil production.
9. Coconut Water
If you haven’t already tried coconut water, you need to.
Hydration is important all year round, so instead of reaching for sugar-laden sports drinks, Simpson encourages getting electrolytes from coconut water. “It supports youthful and supple skin,” she says, thanks to it’s hydrating powers and its hearty dose of potassium, which can help deliver more nutrients and oxygen to the skin by boosting circulation, Prevention reported.
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