Eat your way to a healthy and beautiful skin. What we eat greatly affects our physical and mental health. There are certain foods that can boost the immune system and there are certain foods that can improve metabolism. We are here to discuss foods that can greatly improve skin health. Try out some of these healthy food to get glowing, soft and smooth skin.
Best Food for Beautiful Skin
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil isn’t exactly food that you can chug down to have beautiful skin, but a research done in 2012 showed that a diet that have a high consumption of olive oil produces better skin. Women who consumed a maximum of two teaspoons of olive oil showed a significant decrease of skin aging compared to women who only took a teaspoon. With so many oils in the market, why is olive oil good for skin health? Sunflower, coconut and peanut oil are great for the skin, but it does not contain the skin healthy contents of olive oil. Olive oil contains high amounts of antioxidant polyphenols that can lessen the damage of free radicals and help remove toxins in the body. Olive oil is seventy five percent monounsaturated fatty acid, this type of fat is great for keeping the skin smooth and healthy.
2. Tomatoes
The tomato is known to be great for the skin, applying a fresh slice of tomato on the skin can help moisturize and improve blood circulation in the skin. If you eat a good amount of tomatoes you’ll notice a huge difference in your immunity and skin. A study was done on subjects who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste every day with a tablespoon of olive oil for two months. The subject had a significant increase of protection from harmful UV rays from subjects who consumed olive oil alone. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene that creates natural SPF for the body. Tomatoes produce more lycopene if it has been cooked or have been applied heat. Though tomatoes produce natural SPF it is still best to apply sunscreen every day.
3. Dark chocolate
Another well-known skin health food is dark chocolate. Pure dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help improve blood circulation and moisturize the skin. Research has shown that women that consumed cocoa powder that is high in flavanol for 2 months had softer and smoother skin. It also helps remove unwanted roughness and scale-like texture of the skin of the participants. The participants consume 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate. Though it showed positive feedback 3.5 ounces of chocolate contain high amounts of calories. Doctors have suggested to consume one ounce of dark chocolate to experience the health benefits of the antioxidant without the unwanted weight gain.
4. Kale
Kale contains a high source of zeaxanthin and lutein. These nutrients help reduce free radicals caused by sun exposure. A cup of kale can give more than your daily value intake of vitamin A and C. If you are someone that is prone to sun exposure, adding a little more kale to your diet can help lessen the negative side effects of UV light on the skin.
5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the beat breakfast choices, it is high in fiber and nutrients. It can help boost energy levels and improve bowel movements. Whole grain oatmeal can help produce insulin that is needed by the body to control sugar levels. People with diabetes or people that consume too much sugar in their diet are advised to consume oatmeal with chopped fruits or artificial sweeteners to lessen the production of androgens. Androgen is the hormone that promotes more sebum production in the sebaceous gland causing breakouts and acne.
6. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the healthiest and most pronounced health drink in the health and wellness industry. Green tea is great for bowel movements, energy, digestion and the immune system. People who drank green tea for two months experience a positive change in their skin. The subject’s skin appeared smoother and firmer. After testing for UV rays damage the subjects also showed lesser sun damage than subjects who stuck to their regular diet. Green tea contains anti-oxidants that can improve blood flow and nutrient absorption. Drink a cup of green tea a day to experience the skin benefit.
A diet filled with healthy greens and vegetables with a healthy lifestyle can help guarantee you a healthy glowing skin for ages. Vices such as smoking and excess alcohol consumption can cause the skin to dry out and create fine lines. Sleeping in late and not exercising can cause hormone imbalance that will cause breakouts and skin aging.
