You would be surprised to know that skin is the largest organ in human body. While its major function is to hold the other organs in place and protect the body against invasion by numerous foreign things like bacteria, it also defines your outside looks. Sunscreen helps to keep your skin healthy and beautiful, protecting it from the outside in, but certain foods can shield your skin from damage from the inside out. In fact, a study published in March 2010 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology supports the idea that certain vitamins do help to protect our skin.
Here are few amazing foods that can greatly enhance the texture, health and appearance of your skin when added to your regular diet, lowering down the risk of skin cancer at the same time as well:
1. Olive Oil
Being high in antioxidants and containing vitamin E at the same time as well, Olives are considered as the most essential food for youthful and gorgeous skin by the specialist all over the globe. Antioxidants are nutritional powerhouses that protect against age-accelerating free radicals. The oil of this miraculous fruit will not only guard your body, but also your skin from the inside out.
2. Avocados
Many people think Avocados are only good for eating. Whereas, the concept is not correct! A good source of biotin, avocados help to prevent dry skin and brittle hair and nails. When applied topically, they can hydrate parched skin.
3. Strawberries
Eating more vitamin C-rich foods, such as strawberries, may help to ward off wrinkles and age-related dryness, suggests research from 2007 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vitamin C’s skin-smoothing effects may be due to its ability to mop up free radicals produced from ultraviolet rays and also its role in collagen synthesis. Collagen is fibrous protein that keeps skin firm and vitamin C is essential for collagen production.
4. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is known to soften the skin. Collagen is the most important connective tissue in our body that provides a softer, smoother and younger appearance and the nutrients found in this fruit help preserve collagen. It is recommended to have pomegranate juice twice a day and/or eat pomegranates preferably with the seeds for added results.
5. Blueberries
Blueberries are an absolute must if you want to protect your skin from the damaging effects of free radicals. Because of the great amounts of antioxidants and fiber contained in blueberries, consuming this super fruit everyday can provides you with a firm, less-wrinkled skin.
6. Green Tea
Green tea’s high on the list of skin-friendly beverages thanks to its impressive storehouse of POLYPHENOLS. Aim for four cups throughout your day.
7. Coffee
Drinking a single cup of coffee daily may lower your risk of developing skin cancer. In one study of more than 93,000 women, published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, those who drank one cup of caffeinated coffee a day reduced their risk of developing no melanoma skin cancer by about 10 percent. And the more they drank—up to about 6 cups or so per day—the lower their risk. Decaf didn’t seem to offer the same protection.
8. Spinach and Kale
These super power green vegetables protect your skin from sun damage by providing vital antioxidant compounds or phytonutrients. They also contain lutein and beta-carotene which help enhance the skin’s texture by firming it and improving its elasticity.
9. Egg Whites
Egg whites are a great source of zinc and other essential minerals that help keep the skin vitalized, firm and young. They also boost your the immune system which further promotes healthier skin.
10. Tomatoes
A German study found that lycopene-rich tomato paste helped participants prevent sunburn when they combined it with olive oil, daily for ten weeks. Besides being a great source of the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are considered a high-carotenoid fruit. These nutrients may help slow down cellular damage from free radicals.
11. Edamame
Edamame is rich in ISOFLAVONES—and ISOFLAVONES act like antioxidants, scavenging for and mopping up harmful free radicals caused by sun exposure. ISOFLAVONES may also help to preserve skin-firming collagen—which begins to decline starting in our twenties.
12. Cold Water Fish
And last but not the least is my personal favorite – the cold water fish…it is just yummy!
Cold water fish (e.g. salmon, trout, mackarel) contains essential Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is very important for skin hydration and the strengthening of cell membranes. It also helps deal with inflammations and skin conditions like Psoriasis, Rosacea and Eczema.
