Food Tips for Healthy Skin!

The Fashion Spot recently did a piece on "Eating Your Way to Healthy Skin". Because this list of foods and their positive effects are so handy, I went ahead and summarized it for you.

::OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS::
♥ The healthy fat found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, olive oil, flax seeds, walnuts, tofu.
♥ Helps skin retain moisture and prevent dry skin, wrinkles, fine lines.

♥ Contains protective monounsaturated fats, which has been shown to reduce risk of skin cancer when consumed in place of saturated fats.


::ZINC::
♥ Zinc-rich foods like oysters and lean meats can help tame oily skin.

♥ Such foods have been shown to reduce oil production, help heal minor cuts and scrapes.


::VITAMIN C + E::
♥ Vitamin C found in citrus fruits (e.g. oranges, grapefruits) prevents immune deficiencies like colds.

♥ Vitamin C has been shown to help fight wrinkles.

♥ Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E (found in avocados, almonds) creates an antioxidant effect to help protect skin from sun damage.

♥ Vitamin C + E work together to aid in preventing and repairing cell damage.


::VITAMIN A::
♥ Greatest effect on skin when eaten in form of leafy dark greens (e.g. spinach, kale).
♥ Popular in beauty products for its anti-aging benefits


::FLAVONOIDS::
♥ Foods like dark chocolate, berries, bananas, citrus fruits, dill, broccoli, pistachios.
♥ Studies have shown flavonoids can decrease sensitivity to sun and increase blood flow to skin to help improve texture



::CAROTENOIDS::
♥ Foods like carrots, kale, spinach, cayenne pepper, tomatoes, apricots.  
♥ Decreases skin’s sensitivity to sun and reduces skin redness.


::TEA + COFFEE::
♥ Teas used for centuries, known for their healing properties.
♥ Green tea claims to possess anti-inflammatory properties. 
♥ Studies have shown alkaloids in coffee (also found in green tea) help rid body of damaged cells.


::WHOLE GRAINS::
♥ Choose whole grains over refined carbohydrates.
♥ Compared to carbohydrates, whole grains are lower on glycemic index, higher in fiber, can help reduce blemishes.
♥ Whole grains keep you fuller, longer because they don't cause the insulin level spike that refined carbohydrates do.

::SULPHUR::
♥ Foods like eggs, garlic.
♥ Key in repairing tissues and elasticity in skin, making it essential for smooth skin.