There are certain foods we eat that help certain parts of our bodies.
Fish, for example, boosts our brain power, while green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are part of any heart-healthy diet.
Our skin – often called the largest organ of the body – is no exception. Whether you want to prevent wrinkles, help circulation or give yourself a nice healthy glow, there are plenty of foods you can eat to give yourself a healthy skin.
1. Greek yogurt = fewer wrinkles
First on our list of foods for healthier skin is Greek yogurt. Dairy products contain protein that lead to firmer, smoother skin, and Greek yogurt often contains twice the protein found in regular yogurt.
2. Fight sun damage with vitamins C and E
When harsh sunlight threatens to damage your skin, vitamin C swoops in and offers its protection, while also reversing sun damage to your collagen and elastin, leading to firmer skin.
Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are what most people think of when they hear “vitamin C,” but you can also nourish your skin by eating kiwis, papayas, red bell pepper, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
You can also protect your skin from sun damage – and inflammation – by eating foods that contain vitamin E. You’ll find it in olives, asparagus, nuts, seeds, spinach and other leafy greens.
3. Tough nut, soft skin
Inside the hard shell of the walnut rests a food that can give you softer skin. Walnuts are a good source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which make your skin more elastic. They also contain copper, which improves collagen production.
4. Help yourself to some delicious CoQ10
“CoQ10” might sound like a form you need when you file your taxes, but it’s an ingredient found in many foods for healthier skin.
CoQ10 is short for “Coenzyme Q10,” an antioxidant our bodies produce naturally. The only problem: That production slows as we get older.
You can help your body out by eating foods that contain CoQ10: salmon and tuna, chicken, whole grains, or organ meats such as liver. Skin products that contain this antioxidant can help soften wrinkles.
5. Vitamin A can repair your skin
Suffering from dry, flaky skin? Pick up a carrot. It’s one of the many foods for healthier skin that contain vitamin A. You’ll also find it in oranges, cantaloupe, leafy greens, low-fat dairy products and eggs.
6. Fight acne with kidney beans
These beans contain a lot of zinc, and studies have suggested a connection between low zinc levels and skin blemishes. Eating a four-ounce serving of kidney beans can help your skin stay clear.
7. Green tea leads to great skin
A lot of beauty products use green tea as an ingredient, but why not just go right to the source? Drinking a cup of green tea can stop inflammation and prevent sun damage.
8. Oatmeal: Good for breakfast, great for your skin
By this, we mean steel-cut oatmeal, which is less processed and thus has more nutrients. It helps stabilize your blood sugar as well, which is important because lower blood sugar means fewer androgens, the hormones that lead to wrinkles.
While there are many foods for healthier skin available to you, it’s important to remember that many of them are already part of a healthy diet.
So instead of focusing on eating things that make your skin healthy, focus on your entire being, and your skin will take care of itself.
Feeling like giving your skin another level of attention? Body Restoration can help. Whether you want a massage, a facial or the full spa treatment, we have something to make your skin feel its best.
