Top 5 Foods For Beautiful Skin

The New Year is here, and it is time to not only start eating better…..it is time to start eating smarter. What better way to indulge than by eating the foods that make you look gorgeous inside and out. Here is a list of the top 5 foods that will be sure to boost your health and your skin!

1. Seafood
Active components: Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc
Benefits: Calm and moisturized skin

Most of us have heard that fish can be really good for our overall health. Many types of fish and shellfish can work wonders for the skin, especially oysters and fatty fish like salmon. The primary nutrients that make fish so good for your complexion are zinc and omega-3 fatty acids. Increasing omega-3 intake can reduce dryness and inflammation, and can help to prevent pre-mature aging. Studies have shown that getting too little omega-3 may contribute to inflammatory disorders like eczema and psoriasis. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep our arteries clear, improving circulation throughout our bodies and maintaining the healthy appearance of our skin. Zinc has the ability to help fight acne as it works to help metabolize testosterone, which affects the production of sebum within our skin (a primary cause of acne). Zinc also assists in new-cell production and the sloughing off of dead skin, giving the skin a healthy glow. These incredible benefits can also be found in flaxseed oil and walnuts.

2. Citrus Fruits
Active components: Vitamin C
Benefits: Smooth and taut skin

Vitamin C is a prime skin-care ingredient because it aids in the body’s production of collagen, a protein that forms the basic structure of your skin. Collagen breakdown, which starts speeding up exponentially around the age of 35, can leave your skin looking less vibrant and saggy. Consuming extra vitamin C in foods like oranges, grapefruits, blueberries, blackberries and tomatoes can help tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles. Vitamin C also helps to fight inflammation, and its antioxidant properties can neutralize the free radicals (highly reactive oxygen molecules) that damage cells and can prematurely age your face. Other great sources of vitamin C can come from hot peppers, bell peppers and sprouts in case you are overwhelmed with eating too much fruit.

3. Red and Green Vegetables
Active components: Vitamin A and beta-carotene
Benefits: Bright and smooth skin

As far as food goes, it doesn’t get much better than vegetables. You’ll especially want to look for red-orange and green vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. Believe it or not spinach actually does more than make you strong – It can actually help to heal dry skin. Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing cell damage and premature aging. Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide tons of vitamin A, too, which helps your skin produce more fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones, reducing dryness and keeping your skin looking bright and young. Vitamin A is best received from foods and not from supplements, as too much vitamin A within our bodies can be toxic.

4. Nuts
Active components: Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids
Benefits: Young and soft skin

Nuts, like all of these incredible foods on our list, are packed with all kinds of antioxidant activity. Vitamin E combats skin-aging free radicals, especially protecting skin from sun damage. Vitamin E also tends to help skin hold in moisture, relieving dryness and making skin look younger. Pairing vitamin E with selenium can enhance its antioxidant abilities, so go ahead and throw some almonds into your cottage cheese (a great source of selenium) for a skin-revitalizing snack. Almonds, pistachios and walnuts also provide a nice supply of omega-3 fatty acids, another great skin nutrient.

5. Whole Grains
Active components: Rutin and B-vitamins
Benefits: Clear and moisturized skin

Whole foods are fabulous for our bodies because they are unprocessed. Whole grain buckwheat is a good source for the antioxidant rutin, which helps combat inflammation-related skin damage. Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don’t have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly. In general, whole grains instead of processed carbohydrates can improve your complexion. Processed (or refined) flours that are found in most breads, cereals and pancake mixes can cause an insulin spike, which in turn can encourage acne.

While salmon, oranges, spinach, almonds and buckwheat are all amazing foods for your skin, achieving beautiful skin through dietary changes doesn’t have to be so specific. Since a healthy body means healthy skin, just be sure to feed your body a wide variety of good, healthy foods, get some exercise and keep your stress low. Your skin will soon reap the benefits. Quick tip: To keep your skin looking its best, avoid foods with lots of saturated fat and/or refined sugar. Be sure to mix it up and strive to eat a rainbow of colorful foods.