A radiant, healthy and glowing skin is a reflection of inner health. Health comes from within and glowing skin is an essential part of natural beauty. The key to vibrant and healthy skin lies beyond the soap and spa routine.
A radiant, healthy and glowing skin is a reflection of inner health. Health comes from within and glowing skin is an essential part of natural beauty. The key to vibrant and healthy skin lies beyond the soap and spa routine. Perhaps the simplest way to get glowing skin is to nourish it amply by eating a healthy diet.
Diet does play an important role in maintaining healthy skin. (1) All the expensive skin care products available in the market will be of no help without healthy diet and proper nourishment.
A balanced diet supplying all nutrients in correct proportions is essential. Scientific studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, yoghurt, eggs, vegetable oils, whole grains, tea and water results in less photo-ageing and skin wrinkling than diets that include red meat, whole milk, butter, sugary products and potatoes
Eat the right foods: the right food refers to the type of foods that contain the key nutrients that benefit the skin the most.
Healthy food gives healthy skin:
Ø Eat a variety of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables including more dark green and orange vegetables. This will ensure a trace element and antioxidant (lycopene, ) intake that helps prevent wrinkles and spots on skin.(2,3)
Ø Eat a lot of citrus fruits like orange, mosambi and other vitamin C rich fruits like guavas, amla, and make use of fresh lemon juice on a regular basis. Studies have shown a favorable correlation between vitamin C and its anti wrinkling properties.(2,3)
Ø Choose low fat milk products, lean meats and poultry to meet your protein and calcium requirements. This will help to cut down on any unnecessary fat consumption and also prevent wrinkles on your skin (2, 3).
Ø Get hold of as many yellow orange vegetables and fruits as possible. They are laden with huge quantities of beta carotene which converts to vitamin A which maintains and repairs skin tissue.
Ø Here’s another reason to cut down on intake of high fat products like butter, margarine as well as sugary stuff as diets high in these have been associated with damaged skin appearance.(2)
Ø Drink plenty of water so the skin stays hydrated .This most certainly will improve the appearance of the skin.
Ø Drink green tea not as a fashion statement but for the protection it offers your skin against polyphenols (1).
So, eat healthy for a healthy and young looking skin. And eating foods for healthy skin will not only give you a smooth and supple complexion but will also reward you with a slimmer waistline.
REFERENCES:
1. Boelsma E, Hendriks HFJ, Roza L. Nutritional skin care: health effects of micronutrients and fattyacids. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:853–64.
2. Cosgrove MC, Franco OH, Granger SP, Murray PG, Mayes AE. Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle aged American women. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:1225–31.
3. Piccardi N, Manissier P. Nutrition and nutritional supplementation Impact on skin health and beauty. Dermato-Endocrinology 1:5, 271-274; September/October, 2009.