5 Fruits for Skin Health
Just because summer is gone, doesn’t mean you can ditch those colourful fruits for good! What you eat is just as important to the health of your skin as what you put on it. Here are 5 surprising fruits you can include in your diet to keep your skin healthy and glowing from the inside out:
Avocados
Avocados are considered a “super food” for their heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats. Beyond that, they are also amazing for your skin and contain anti-aging antioxidant carotenoids like alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These antioxidants protect your skin from environmental damage that can cause wrinkles and fine lines.
Tomatoes
Although most consider the tomato a vegetable in the kitchen, it’s actually a fruit! Tomatoes contain the antioxidant, lycopene, which acts to protect the skin from sun damage and neutralise harmful molecules. Lycopene also strengthens the skin by slowing the breakdown of collagen, which is what keeps your skin firm and wrinkle-free! Chop up some of this healthy fruit in your next salad, or add it to your fall chili recipe.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates seeds are not only delicious, but have some great health benefits as well! They contain, polyphenol antioxidants that help fight free radicals all around us and regulate our skin’s blood flow. Throw some in your smoothie or yogurt in the mornings and you’ll be glowing all day.
Blueberries
In addition to their skin protecting antioxidants, blueberries are vascular constrictors. Simply put, blueberries help to decrease redness in the skin. This is great for those with sensitive skin prone to redness and irritation.
Chocolate
Okay, we know it’s not a fruit, but we HAD to sneak some chocolate in! Dark chocolate contains high levels of a potent type of antioxidant called flavonols. Plus, as an added benefit, dark chocolate is high in caffeine, which may assist in reducing skin’s puffiness. Now there are no excuses, get out there and buy yourself a chocolate bar! (Just make sure it’s 70% cacao or higher for the added benefit.)
