Clear and healthy skin starts from within. Eating healthy not only contributes to weight loss, it also does wonders for your complexion. So why not boost your beauty regimen with skin-enhancing nourishments?
Read on to learn about foods that come packed with the nutrients to keep skin ageless, flawless, and all-around fabulous.
Avocado: Rich in omega-3 oils and unsaturated fats, avocados are great for those prone to dry skin. Something else? They’re known to be a great source of vitamin E, which boosts the skin’s vitality and luminosity. Avocados also contain vitamin C, which reduces skin inflammation and aids in collagen production.
Beets (or Beetroot): They might stain your fingers, but the skin-clearing properties of beets are well worth the cleaning hassle. These purple roots are particularly high in vitamin A (the main ingredient in Tretinoin – the first generation, topical retinoid) as well as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and vitamin E, which is essential for epidermal health and healing. Beets help repair dry, red, irritated skin.
Berries: According to Health.com, berries, specifically strawberries, have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving than oranges or 
grapefruit! And they’re a natural anti-inflammatory!
Brown Rice: A single portion not only provides a great source of B vitamins, protein, selenium and magnesium, as well as several antioxidants, but also helps regulate your blood sugar levels by slowly releasing energy throughout the day. And it’s been reported that stable blood sugar contributes to skin health and overall appearance.
Broccoli: This powerhouse plant is jam-packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K, all which add luminosity to the skin and help repair damaged tissue. For the greatest health benefits, broccoli should be consumed raw or lightly steamed.
Chocolate: Did you know? Cocoa hydrates skin! And according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a dermatologist in New York City, “Dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonols, a potent type of antioxidant.” For maximum flavonol content, eat chocolate that’s at least 70 percent cacao.
Salmon: Salmon, as a cold-water fish, is filled with unsaturated fats that help heal dry skin. Salmon is also a great natural anti-inflammatory and is known to accelerate the skin’s natural healing process.
Spinach: This leafy green contains folate, which helps repair and maintain DNA. The folate in spinach basically boosts a cell’s ability to renew itself. Not only that, but the water inside this leafy green helps plump wrinkled skin. And who doesn’t love a natural filler?
Tomatoes: Although they’re often confused for vegetables, tomatoes contain lycopene -which gives them their bright, red pigment, and which also stimulates skin circulation and eliminates skin-aging free radicals caused by UV rays.
Always remember: you are what you eat. So don’t sabotage your skin! Drink plenty of water and feed your body and mind the healthy way. Your complexion will thank you for it!
References:
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http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/5-foods-for-beautiful-skin.htm
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http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/best-foods-for-good-skin/
