Many foods are health promoting and vital to consume for prevention of disease. Those looking to improve their health through good nutrition can also consume certain foods that contribute to positive improvements on the outside, not only the inside on a cellular level! Diet and lifestyle factors are some of the main influencers on glowing skin, prevention of breakouts, and healthy hair! If you want to nourish your body from the inside, here are some top foods to incorporate into a well-balanced diet to help optimize your natural beauty.
I. Water: Adequate and good hydration is vital for every organ in your body, including your skin! Water isn’t actually a food, but it is a health essential necessary for overall beauty. Water makes up 60 to 70 percent out our body, including our skin. Water is essential for all bodily functions including nutrient absorption and metabolism, detoxification, circulation, and temperature regulation. Meeting your daily fluid needs and consuming water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber, apple, and celery helps hydrate skin and keep a natural, glowing look. Most all people need between 2 to 3 liters of water per day. If you don’t like the taste or get tired of drinking plain water, try infusing a pitcher of water or travel cup with citrus fruits or try different brands of flavored seltzer like La Croix or Bubly brands.
II. Carrots: Carrots are known for improving vision, but eating carrots are a great way and good food to include in your diet to protect your skin from the sun. Carrots contain an antioxidant –carotenoids and also Vitamin A that reduces the skins sensitivity to UV rays and decreases redness to help maintain healthy looking skin. Carrots are considered “nature’s toothbrush” as eating raw carrots can help scrub away plaque and leftover food particles leaving you with reduced discoloration a pearly, white smile.
III. Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt not only helps maintain fullness when eating, but contains many amino acids (twice the protein content of regular yogurt) that are good for getting rid of dark circles under your eyes. Yogurt, Greek or regular, also contains lactic acid that aids in diminishing appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by tightening and shrinking pores. Yogurt is rich in riboflavin that that keeps skin glowing and aids in cell growth and regeneration. It can be used topically to soothe inflamed skin with the probiotics it contains, while also balancing the good bacteria in your system from consuming it. The zinc content also regulates oil production and can replenish damaged acne areas.
IV. Avocado: Avocado is a fruit considered as a daily multivitamin! Avocados are filled with biotin to promote luminous hair and nails and prevent dry skin. Avocado is rich in vitamins D and E and can help protect hair from dryness and damage, repair scalp damage, and control hair loss. In combination of Vitamin E, the Vitamin C content of avocados helps protect cells from free radical damage, which is great for keeping skin looking young. They also contain lutein, a carotenoid that promotes skin elasticity. The oleic acid and chlorophyll content can also help to reduce inflammation and redness. If you have extra avocados ripening too fast, mix up a mask with yogurt and/or raw honey that is perfect for all skin types!
V. Blueberries- Blueberries are high in vitamins C and E, which are antioxidants that can work together to brighten tired-looking skin, and can even out redness or uneven skin tones. The vitamin A content is also known to help eliminate dark spots and reduce wrinkles. By eating blueberries, you can better control hormone levels to fight breakouts.
VI. Walnuts- Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to repair split ends in hair and strengthen follicles while leaving it with a natural shine. The healthy fats and polyphenols reduce inflammation in the skin and can prevent breakouts. They are also high in copper to help give skin a natural, warm color. The vitamin E content helps keep toxins out that can damage skin cells, as well as aide in preventing wrinkles and dry skin.
-SFL Nutrition
