List of Foods Good for Your Complexion
With the creation of Botox and plastic surgery, it might seem all too easy to take care of your skin. But didn't your mother ever tell you that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? With the right diet, you won't have to take drastic measure to keep your skin healthy and young-looking. These foods are chock-full of nutrients that will combat skin cancer, help your skin repair itself, boost elasticity and fight acne. Does this Spark an idea?
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Antioxidants
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Berries are full of antioxidants, which fight free radicals and oxidant damage from the environment. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums all benefit your complexion, though the antioxidant content in blueberries is slightly higher. Antioxidants are found in combination with other nutrients in many skin super foods.
Fatty Acids
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Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are miracle workers for your skin. The body cannot make them, so we must get them from our food. These good fats allow our skin cells to retain moisture, meaning our skin looks younger and brighter. They are found in large quantities in foods like tuna, salmon, sardines, nuts, seeds and their oils.
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Minerals
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Cottage cheese has a lot of selenium, a mineral that fights free radicals and dandruff, and protects against skin cancer. Whole wheat bread, turkey, and tuna also contain selenium. Oysters are rich in zinc, which fights acne by encouraging sebum production in the skin. Copper is found in potatoes and helps produce elastin, which is essential to your skin's ability to heal. Spinach is a super food for your skin, being rich in many vitamins as well as selenium and zinc.
Vitamins
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Vitamin E, A, C, and B3 (Niacin) are essential for your complexion. Avocados are packed with B3. Mangoes have 80 percent of your daily need for Vitamin A, which combats free radicals. Almonds and corn are rich in Vitamin E, which keeps your skin from aging. Citrus fruits, like oranges, contain a lot of Vitamin C, which helps your skin repair itself and is responsible for the production of collagen. Collagen helps your skin maintain its elasticity.
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References
- WebMD; Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center: Foods for Healthy Skin: You Are What You Eat; Colette Bouchez
- Mail Online: Health: Foods to Make Your Skin Glow
- Lifescript; Body: Looks: Skin: Feed Your Face: 10 Foods for Better Skin; Jennifer Gruenemay; November 07, 2010
- LiveStrong: Health: Skin Health: Vitamins for Skin: Foods for Good Skin & Complexion
- ELLE: Beauty: Healthy Skin: How to Feed Your Complexion
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
