12 Foods for Younger Looking Skin

Our skin or face, is one of the first things people notice about most of us. Because it is what represents us everywhere we go, keeping our skin healthy and looking younger, is very important. Plus, we all reach a certain age where we start to worry about getting older. Since the fountain of youth has yet to be discovered, our only other option is to take care of ourselves, our bodies and our skin. There are many foods out there that can be harmful to your outer coating. At the same time, certain foods will actually do the opposite and make your skin look younger and healthier. According to Miami Beach dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, “Good nutrition is a fundamental building block of healthy skin.” Eating the right kind of foods, can do wonders for your skin. The natural ingredients in some of them, will speed up the pace of exfoliation. This helps to protect our skin from harmful UV damage which are causes for brown spots and wrinkles. These 12 foods for younger looking skin are just what you need. They can help you and your skin, stay beautiful  longer.

Bell peppers & Broccoli –

Bell peppers & Broccoli – foodandstyle.com

The skin’s building block is called collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies. The connective tissue substance, holds the body together and helps in suppleness, firmness and continual renewal of skin cells. Also, collagen is essential for skin elasticity. Since Vitamin C increases the production of collagen, eating bell peppers or broccoli will help your skin stay looking younger. This will mean less fine lines around your mouth and eyes. Eating either broccoli or bell peppers, may help deter age-related dryness and wrinkles. You should eat at least a fresh cup or 1/2 cup of cooked bell peppers or broccoli a day.

Tomatoes –

Tomato-Basil Salad – bonnieplants.com

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a red carotenoid pigment, which may help maintain your skin looking smooth. The European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, published a study in 2008. In that research, they found that those with higher concentrations of lycopene, ended up having smoother skin. Also, eating more lycopene, can help protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. So remember to eat your tomatoes to protect your skin. You can either eat them fresh or cooked. Other fruits which are full of lycopene are carrots, watermelon, guava and pink grapefruits.

Wild Salmon –

Alaskan Wild Salmon Dinner – seabear.com

While you may not be wild about a fish, the wild salmon can do wonders for the overall health of your outer shell. Full of omega-3 fatty acids which help the skin retain moisture, the wild salmon should be on your plate often. Eating wild salmon can make your skin soft and supple. Also, the health-giving ingredients found in wild salmon, preserve your scalp’s natural oils. For best results eat 4 to 6 ounces, at least 3 times a week.

Romaine Lettuce –

Romaine Lettuce – specialtyproduce.com

If you want your skin to glow and be healthier, eat some romaine lettuce. According to Lisa Drayer, RD, author of The Beauty Diet, the mineral potassium in romaine lettuce “gives skin a refreshing boost of nutrients and oxygen by improving circulation.” Eating about 6 leaves of the lettuce, will provide you with more than 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin A. Vitamin A rejuvenates the skin by augmenting cell turnover. Another reason to eat more romaine lettuce, is that it activates a protein that supports vascular health. This is because 6 leaves of romaine contain about 45 percent of the daily value of vitamin K.

Coffee –

Coffee – iStock

Most of us love our cup of coffee each morning to help us get through the waking up ritual. However, drinking a single cup of coffee each day, may also help your skin stay younger looking and healthier. In addition, drinking coffee daily, may lower your risk of developing skin cancer as well. The European Journal of Cancer Prevention, published an article which performed a study on more than 93,000 women. In that research, women who drank more caffeinated coffee, ended up reducing their risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer. Those women had about a 10 percent less chance than their counterparts. However, drinking decaf coffee, did not appear to have the same protection.

Strawberries –

Amazing Benefits of Strawberries – lifehack.org

Most of us already love strawberries because they taste so good. However, since it is such a great source of vitamin C, the delicious fruit can also make your skin look younger and healthier. Eating a cup of strawberries will deliver about 150% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C your body requires. From deterring age related dryness on your skin, to warding off wrinkles, strawberries are your skin’s friend.

Papaya –

Papaya – diversatechfertilizer.com

Papaya, papaw or pawpaw, are it is also known, is not only very tasty, it is also great for your skin. One of the reasons for this is because the fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C, as research suggests, promote the repair of DNA harmed by UV rays. This means that the antioxidant, helps protect skin cells against sun damage and harmful rays. UV rays kill and damage DNA by breaking down the chemical bonds of skin cells. Eating papaya, will provide plenty of vitamin C and thus, protection from these harmful rays. That helps to explain why so many cosmetics found today, contain Vitamin C.

Tofu –

Unexpected Ways to Use Up Leftover Tofu – thekitchn.com

By way of being rich in isoflavones, tofu may help maintain and preserve skin firming collagen. Other soyfoods, such as soymilk and edamame, can also help in the anti-aging department. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition, published a study on mice. In that research, the mice were given isoflavones. At the same time, the mice were also exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The mice which were fed isoflavones, had smoother skin and fewer wrinkles, than the mice which were not given the polyphenolic compound. Based on that study, the researchers believe that isoflavones, can help prevent collagen breakdown, and protect against harmful UV rays.

Apples –

Apple Picking Connecticut – lymanorchards.com

You know what they say; eating an apple a day, will keep the doctor away. However, eating the delicious fruits, will also keep your skin glowing and healthy. Apples, contain quercetin, a flavonol found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains. The powerful antioxidant, furnishes plenty of protection to the skin from the UVB “burning” rays. These of course, cause and trigger many forms of skin cancer. Apple peels contain loads of quercetin and fiber. It is also where most of the vitamins are located. That’s why you should never remove the skin of apples before eating them. If you’re planning to be in the sun, aside from wearing sunscreen, eat an apple or two before hand for extra UVB rays protection.

Tuna –

Tuna Garlic Fry – delightedbycooking.blogspot.com

Just like the wild salmon and sardines, tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from keeping your skin looking younger and healthier, tuna can also prevent skin cancer. One of the omega-3 fats in fatty fish called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), has been proven to sustain collagen. Collagen, is a fibrous protein which helps keep the skin firm. Dermatologist and doctors recommend eating plenty of fatty fish each week. Apart from the omega-3 rich foods being great for your skin, they are also good for your heart and health.

Cocoa –

Cocoa – confectionerynews.com

It has been said that eating too much chocolate can give you acne. However, numerous studies have found that there is no connection between eating chocolate and skin problems. Cocoa flavanols help improve circulation and blood flow to the scalp and other places. Eating dark chocolate, will also deliver nutrients that help your scalp remain healthy. The flavonoid found in cocoa, is called epicatechin and it can largely improve the overall health of your skin. Epicatechin increases blood flow to the skin, which in turn, boosts oxygen supply and nutrients. This makes drinking or eating an epicatechin-rich cocoa beverage, essential. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, in which 24 women were researched, reported impressive results. The women who drank epicatechin-rich cocoa drinks every day for for 12 weeks, vastly improved their skin texture.

Sweet potatoes –

Sweet Potatoes – designedtonourish.com

Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, which ends up destroying free radicals. This in turn, ends up preventing damage to the skin cells. Because the body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A, the process assist in fighting signs of aging. It also helps to protect your skin and keep it healthier. You can also try cantaloupe, mangoes and carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene.