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We all want smooth skin that glows with radiance and youth, and there’s a long line of anti-aging beauty products that promises just that. However, when you read the ingredients label, and I know you do read that label before you buy anything, yes? I’m sure you notice that these long lines of cosmetic products are infused with food products…and that they’re usually the most expensive among “beauty products.”
This makes me wonder if it wouldn’t be better to nourish our skin from the inside out by eating the foods that give it the most benefits instead of just applying it to the skin’s surface?
The key to aging gracefully is eating healthy
This fact is not just skin deep; sticking to a healthy diet also helps ward off diseases, prevents weight gain and type 2 diabetes, and decreases our risk of cancer.
Much research has been carried out on how certain nutrients help protect our bodies from harmful environmental factors and prevent oxidative stress that causes premature and accelerated aging of the skin. Proper nutrition is so important to keep the skin’s cells hydrated and functioning at their optimal levels.
One of the foremost goals for all of us should be to reduce inflammation in our bodies. Research shows inflammation is the key “ingredient” to chronic disease and premature aging.
Foods Rich In Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the best-known antioxidants to protect the skin from free radicals, which are unstable molecules and atoms that wreak havoc on our cells and cause that oxidative stress that accelerates aging. Additionally, vitamin C plays a vital role in the production of collagen…key to enjoying long term youthful looking skin.
Personally, I try to eat about a half a fresh orange every morning. Don’t think orange juice is a good choice though. Any fruit juice is sugar, and sugar goes to fat if you don’t use it immediately for energy. Always choose fresh whole fruits over juices!
Vitamin C is found in a variety of foods:
- Bell peppers
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Guava
- Limes
- Berries
- Grapefruits
- Broccoli
- Sweet potatoes
These foods are more than able to provide you with your daily intake, which can range from 65 – 90 milligrams per day. One cup of strawberries will provide you with roughly 150 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. I mentioned oranges earlier, and eating a large orange, along with providing vitamin C, also hydrates your skin. It will help keep it supple too, as oranges have high water content.
Studies show that those who regularly incorporate foods rich in
vitamin C into their diets reduce their risk of wrinkles by 36 percent.
Vitamin C also protects the skin against ultraviolet radiation, so make sure your body is getting enough vitamin C. Combine your vitamin C intake with foods that contain vitamin E which protects the skin from the sun and other inflammatory agents.
More tips on what to eat to keep your skin younger looking coming next week.
Helping You Achieve Major Wellness.
Cheryl A Major lives in Westford and is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. Her TV show Thin Strong Healthy airs on WestfordCat and is an offshoot of her blog http://ThinStrongHealthy.com Cheryl offers ongoing information and personal health coaching to help you feel better and be healthier. Follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylAMajor. She is also a full time residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker with more than 25 years experience.
Questions? Email Cheryl at cheryl@thinstronghealthy.com and be sure to put Health Question in the subject line. Your question and its answer will be included in a future article
