The common phrase “you are what you eat” actually holds more truth than you may have originally thought. Although it does feel good to splurge on that cheeseburger and french fries every once in a while, what we put into our bodies does have a pretty large impact on our outward appearance. The best way to achieve a healthy complexion begins with nourishing your insides. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the most important nutrition tips out there. In addition, foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits contain powerful antioxidants that can protect our skin from cellular damage caused by environmental factors and free radicals.
Drink Plenty of H2O
As stated previously, one of the healthiest things you can do for your body and overall health is to drink plenty of water each and every day. The recommended intake of water is between 6-8 glasses per day. Not only does drinking water hydrate your entire body, flush out toxins, and increase your natural energy level but it also helps your skin stay soft, flexible and healthy. Many don’t drink the recommended daily intake of water but once you increase the amount you drink, you will notice a healthy and glowing complexion in no time. Drinking plenty of water also helps to maintain a healthy digestive system, relieves fatigue, promotes weight loss, naturally eases headaches, and boosts your immune system.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Incorporating at least five portions of colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet can benefit your health immensely by decreasing your risk of many diseases, boosting your energy levels and more. A few of these highly nutritious foods include sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, oranges, tomatoes, and berries. Sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and carrots contain Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene which helps to repair skin tissue while foods like tomatoes and oranges are high in Vitamin C to heal damaged and irritated skin.
TIP: Pumpkin seeds are great for those with problem skin because they are an excellent source of zinc, one of the most important minerals for maintaining healthy, happy skin.
Super Foods are Key!
Superfoods are highly nutritious foods that contain a variety of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and polyphenols. Polyphenols are compounds found in natural plant sources that contain high amounts of antioxidant properties. Furthermore, these compounds have many benefits such as protecting against free radicals and premature aging, reducing inflammation and promoting healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
These “superfoods” include strawberries, leafy greens, apples, nuts, melons, oats, watercress as well as other nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables. For instance, strawberries are very high in iron which helps to cleanse your system while melons (all kinds!) are skin boosting fruits that help to detox your body. Oats are very high in potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, calcium, protein and B vitamins. Spinach is another superfood packed with lutein to boost the production of healthy skin cells and promote cell re-growth while avocados contain an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, omega-3s and potassium which makes this fruit have many anti-aging benefits.
The “Good” Fats
Good fats are most commonly known as Omega-3 fatty acids and they are critical for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and complexion. Since the body cannot produce these fats naturally, they have to be obtained through a healthy diet. Consuming foods that are high in omega-3s have been shown to improve skin texture and reduce inflammation caused by skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. These essential fatty acids not only act as natural moisturizers for the skin but they have also been shown to improve heart health. The best foods to look for if you’re wanting to increase your Omega-3 intake include oily fish (salmon, cod, tuna, etc.), avocados, extra virgin olive oil, beans, seeds, and nuts. Specifically, walnuts contain high amounts of protein, more heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon and more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than fruit. The best part is that you only have to eat about seven (recommended serving size) of these delicious nuts to get all of these amazing health benefits!
In conclusion, millions of dollars are spent across the world on fancy creams and serums all promising the same thing — a perfect and radiant complexion. Although skin care products are key for maintaining healthy skin, what we put into our bodies plays a key role also. Instead of focusing primarily on topical creams, let’s begin focusing on what we put on our plate!
