The 9 Best Foods to Eat for Radiant Skin
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When it comes to your skin, the statement “you are what you eat” couldn’t be any closer to the truth. Beautiful skin is a sign of good health and well-being. In this post, you will find out the best foods to eat for radiant skin.
Table of Contents
As a rule of thumb, the best way to achieve radiant skin is to keep our blood sugar levels constant and as low as possible, which means avoiding foods that will spike them, such as refined carbohydrates and those sweet treats we all love (yes, me too!).
On the other hand, certain foods are highly beneficial to our complexion and should be added to our plates on a regular basis. Here we take a look at the 9 best foods to eat for radiant skin:
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Avocados
Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, avocados are a skin superfood. They are also packed with essential fatty acids that moisturise and nourish the skin. High in fibre, avocados boost the digestive system and help to keep you regular: healthy elimination leads to better skin!
Berries
Despite being sweet, berries are fruits that are great for the skin as they will not spike your blood sugar levels and they also contain a range of vitamins, minerals and polyphenols depending on the berry you pick.
You can incorporate berries into your meals by sprinkling them over your porridge in the morning, adding them to your salad for lunch or eating them with some Greek yoghurt after dinner.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are a vegan source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to be an exceptional anti-inflammatory, and beneficial to the skin. You can easily introduce flaxseeds into your diet by sprinkling them over salads, soups and porridge.
Greek yoghourt
Gut health has been shown to be directly connected to skin health. Greek yoghourt and similar alternatives are great for the skin due to the probiotic bacteria it contains.
Consuming yoghurt, or other foods such as kefir, regularly, will benefit your gut and give your skin the chance to be as healthy as possible.
Leafy greens
Kale, spinach and watercress are incredibly beneficial for the skin. Dark leafy greens are a great source of fibre, and vitamins such as vitamins A, C and K and are also full of antioxidants that are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is not only beneficial for the heart but is also great for your skin. It helps the absorption of essential fatty acids and is also anti-inflammatory due to the hydroxytyrosol that it contains. Pour it over your salads or drizzle some over your other meals.
Orange Foods
The orange pigment found in oranges, sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots, mangoes and cantaloupe contains carotenoids that provide extra antioxidant protection and decent levels of vitamin A which is a key vitamin for skin health. They are also rich in vitamin C which due to the collagen cross-linking, helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles too.
Papaya
The high content of the phytonutrients beta-carotene and lycopene, both strong antioxidants that protect the skin against free radical damage and reduce sun damage and skin ageing, makes papaya (another orange food) a superfood for the skin.
A small papaya contains 140 per cent of the daily recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of Vitamin C helps prevent oxidative damage and regulates the synthesis of collagen, improving skin condition and reducing dryness. Papaya is the perfect breakfast: just cut it in half, remove the seeds and indulge.
Pistachios
Glowing skin requires oil or fats to help the body absorb complexion-friendly antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins. Pistachios have the healthy monounsaturated oil oleic acid and they are also a great source of phytonutrients, vitamins A and E which are linked to healthy skin.
Perfect to snack on guilt-free, pistachios contain anti-ageing stilbene resveratrol and proanthocyanidins which enhance and support the action of vitamin C, improving blood flow and maintaining the natural elasticity of collagen.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy and cheap to have glowing skin. There is no need to spend tons of money on beauty products, all you have to do is improve your nutrient intake, so the change comes from the inside out – it’s natural and more sustainable over time.
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