10 SUPERFOODS TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN WITH AGE DEFYING PROPERTIES
By Catherynne Johns
As we age, the skin starts to lose its natural collagen and elasticity. Fine lines appear and you lose the suppleness of your skin. This is especially true in the postpartum period. Your body needs time to recover after the delivery and so does your skin. With a new life to take care of, sleepless nights and added responsibilities we often neglect ourselves and sometimes it is too late to reverse the damage.
Instead, of burning a hole in your pocket with the fancy anti-ageing product why don’t you nurture your skin from within? Did you know your kitchen has the entire anti-ageing arsenal that you need? There are a few gifts from nature which are anti-ageing super foods thanks to the brilliant nutrients they are packed with.
If you have just delivered or are in general looking for answers to “how to get rid of bags under eyes” or “how to get a glowing skin”, read on and add all these 10 superfoods to your grocery list;
- Walnuts
Walnuts are a delicious, crunchy way to add nutrition to your diet. They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and are antioxidant thanks to ‘ellagic’ acid. They are rich in minerals, so give a boost to your immunity, help in maintaining healthy cholesterol and improve the functioning of your digestive system. As they are quite filling, you feel fuller for longer after consuming them, thus cutting down on your calorie intake.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes are well known for flushing out toxins. They are great way to get glowing skin. They are packed with lycopene and lutein, both are very powerful antioxidants. Make sure you go for the reddest tomatoes you can find as they are highest in these two ingredients. Tomatoes are also known to boost your memory function, protect against muscle degeneration and cataracts and even ward off some cancers.
- Berries
Whether you like cranberries, raspberries or blueberries it doesn’t matter just pack on these skin foods. You can add these to your breakfast cereal, yogurt or even have them as a snack. Berries are antioxidant, amazing source of vitamin C, and also reduce the oxidative damage to different organs which comes with age. The natural carbohydrates in berries also take care of your sugar cravings.
- Olive Oil
The secret behind glowing skins of French and Greek women is Olive oil. Olive oil is a staple part of diet in these countries; it is a good source of mono-saturated fats, (the good fats) which are essential for the health of our hearts and bodies in general. For dietary purpose always chose extra-virgin olive oil as it is refined to conserve the maximum quantity of these good fats.
- Leafy Green Vegetables
The leafy green vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, spinach kale, mustard greens and Brussels sprouts. The cruciferous family is indeed nature’s power house. It is a great source of foliate, vitamins A, C and K and abundant in minerals such as potassium and magnesium. As whole these nutrients are responsible for maintaining health of our eyes, hair and nails, maintain bone density and boost your immunity.
- Whole Grains
Nutritionists everywhere are of an undivided opinion that you must include whole grains in your daily diet. They include dietary fiber, vitamin B and iron. They are the best source to lower your cholesterol and blood sugar-levels; they regulate your bowel movement and help ward off any age related diseases such as high cholesterol and type-2 diabetes. Type-2 diabetes has become very common amongst pregnant women and those who have just delivered. It is a good idea to switch to whole grains such as bran bread, oats, and brown rice instead of the white starchy grains.
- Dark Chocolate
Don’t just limit your chocolate intake to the Valentine’s Day. Chocolate is not just a stress buster but also a skin booster. Have you heard of chocolate facials, which have become quite common in spa treatments everywhere? This is because cocoa beans are amazing skin food. They can give a collagen boost. However, it is good to go for dark chocolate which contains at least 70% cocoa. It is also good if you want to cut down your cholesterol and trim a few inches off your waist.
- Fish
Seafood particularly salmon is known to cure discomfort and inflammation due to high contents of omega-3 fats. It is also a great source of minerals which makes it great for hair and nails. The omega-3 derived from fish also works as a stress buster and mood booster. This improves overall feeling of well-being which carries into old age.
- Red Wine
This is another secret of the French women. They indulge in a little red wine. Red wine is rich in resveratrol; this antioxidant helps in cutting down cholesterol, strengthens your arteries, and reduces inflammation. Moderate levels of Resveratrol also ward-off cell-death in brains thus safeguarding against diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Green Tea
Green tea is a great source of Vitamin A. C and E; all three are essential for skin regeneration and can be found in many creams. It is high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties too; consuming 3-4 cups of green tea refreshes your skin in no time. It is also a great way to shed fat and even works as an appetite suppressant in some people.
You know as they say “you are what you eat”, so if you want supple glowing skin, healthy hair and bright eyes you must start taking care of your beauty from within.
Catherynne Johns is a Senior Writer for OLWOMEN.com, an avid reader, fashion and make up enthusiast who simply lives to write and talk about all kinds of stuff. Focusing on How to get rid of Acne & researching the best ways regarding how to get rid of love handles
