“A Healthy Outside Starts From the Inside”
-Robert Urich
Across the world, the cosmetic industry is booming. Reason is simple; everyone wants to have a healthy, dewy and clear skin. Imagine fluid of snails and snakes being extracted, squeezed into tubes, sold all over Asia – and gets raving reviews. The truth about a healthy skin is not about expensive treatments or skin creams and serum. The food you put in your system plays a major role in the health of your skin. Your skin works like a mirror, providing signs about your overall health.
Here’s the list of the superfoods that will not only make skin glow and slow down the ageing process, naturally.
1. Walnut
What makes walnut an excellent food choice for healthy skin is the abundance of essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 ). These can’t be processed by the body. Omega-3 fatty acids lock the moisture, strengthen the membrane of your skin cells, keep out toxins from the skin cells, giving you a plumpy glow.
Also, Walnuts contain daily potassium requirement (around 11%) which maintains mineral balance, blocking bloating, saggy skin and puffiness. Moreover, they give you a healthy dose of antioxidants that combat the skin damage caused by dust, pollution and harmful rays.
Do you know poor circulation is another reason for unhealthy looking skin? Walnuts are fiber-packed food and adding them into your diet means a well-nourished and healthy skin.
2. Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, which is required for healthy skin cell growth and production. It’s another bioavailable nutrients are anthocyanins, that have effective anti-aging properties.
Collagen is responsible for skin elasticity and strength. Decreased collagen production leads to skin laxity, acne, wrinkles and more. Vitamin C present in sweet potatoes work as an antioxidant and help in the production of collagen.
Sweet potatoes contain pantothenic acid and potassium that work as a natural moisturizer. Even its skin mask is moisturizing and cleanses excess facial oils from the skin. Folate is another essential nutrient present in sweet potatoes that maintain healthy levels of folate and decrease the risk of skin cancer.
3. Papaya
Both eating and applying papaya on the face make the skin glow. This fruit is rich in vitamin A, B, minerals and has antioxidant properties. It also contains Chymopapain and Papain that are very effective in retarding premature ageing. Daily consumption suggests that it protects the heart and also helps in weight loss.
4. Pumpkin
Want to improve the appearance of your skin? Adding pumpkin to your diet can help. Pumpkin is packed with a good source of vitamin C, which is known for improving skin tone and elasticity. Carotenoids are another nutrient that reverses UV damage and improves the texture of the skin.
Potassium, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese are a few of the minerals present in pumpkin that promotes healthy skin and hair. And it is also a good source of B vitamins including folate, B6, riboflavin and niacin. Niacin improves circulation, acne and soothes dry skin. Plus B vitamins make your complexion look younger and plumper.
5. Soy
Soy is a nutritional powerhouse including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, calcium, copper, potassium, vitamins, folic acids, omegas and vitamins. Adding soy to your diet may strengthen bones, boost immunity and support healthy looking skin.
Genistein is found in soy which has the ability to increase skin thickness, rebuild elastin and collagen, enhance skin hydration and smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. If you are suffering from acne , soy isoflavones may help to sooth inflammation, clear marks and reduce further breakouts. Soy contains phytosterols, phytic acid and saponins. Saponins and phytosterols are beneficial in skin’s overall immunity, reducing redness and inflammation. Phytic acid aids in soothing eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and other dermatitis related skin issues.
6. Spinach
Skin is the most sensitive organ of the body, and it needs certain nutrients to maintain its health. Spinach is great for skin. Loaded with essential vitamins like Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Vitamin A as well as minerals and antioxidants, this green leafy vegetable plays a vital role in skin care. It offers various benefits such as reducing the risk acne outburst, protecting the skin from UV rays, slowing down the ageing process, improving skin complexion, making it look radiant.
These were the 6 Food that can help you get healthy and glowing skin. Avoid eating oily and deep fried food. Add more fruits, veggies, and nuts to your diet and drink enough water to keep your skin flawless. Also, in some cases, dietary supplements such as multivitamins, whey protein etc. may be a good way to make sure you are getting the required nutrients. Whey protein for skin? Yes, it contains glutathione, which is effective in delaying the sign of ageing and provides essential protein for generating healthy skin.