Feed Your Skin These Power Foods

September has been christened as the ‘Fashion Month’ with renowned designers showcasing their collections at different fashion weeks across New York, Milan, London and Paris. Designer trends may vary from season to season but the one trend that will always be in vogue is the enviable glowing and radiant skin that stuns all during every show. One might right away point at the rigorous and costly skincare routines and good genes to be the reason behind the gleam, but what if we tell you that your diet has a major role to play for the gorgeous skin? Not just applying smushed veggies and fruits or oils on your body but also what you include in your diet.

Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima swears by avocados and has made it an essential part of her beauty ritual while Alessandra Ambrosio’s favourite snack happens to be dark chocolate which is rich in antioxidants.

Some of these foods might already be stocked in your kitchen cupboards or refrigerators and you already may be consuming them as a part of your daily diet.

Wasn’t it Mark Twain who said, Part of the secret of success in life (and healthy skin) is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.? Click To Tweet

We might have altered that quote a bit.

OMEGA-3 FOR THE WIN!

Apart from lowering the risk of heart diseases and Alzheimer’s, Omega-3 fatty acids are also hailed for maintain flawless skin from head to toe and help fight wrinkles.

Stress, pollution, insufficient nutrients in your diet, less water intake and other factors can have an adverse effect on your skin’s collagen which helps keep it supple.

This is where Omega-3 foods can take charge.

There are three important kinds of Omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

ALA is found in flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, hemp seeds, soybeans and some seed oils like rapeseed and flaxseed. DHA and EPA are mostly found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, etc.), fish oils, meat and dairy of grass-fed animals.

DID SOMEONE SAY CHOCOLATE?

Yes, but the dark kind which has at least 70% cocoa and the consumption should be in moderation. The assured feel-good factor that comes to you as you bite into a piece of dark chocolate is not the only thing that it has to offer.

It has other superpowers which can help nourish your skin like antioxidants which help hydrate the skin and get rid of blemishes. Cocoa beans also have magnesium which helps control stress-related acne breakouts.

AVO-CONTROL

Avocado obsession is not going to go away any time soon. It’s one food item that you can add to everything you make be it sweet or savoury. Add it to sushi, salads, smoothies or how about some delish guacamole? Avocados are packed with rejuvenating nutrients and also called ‘Nature’s Butter’.

It had around 20 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, E, K B6, magnesium, potassium, folate, etc. and other healthy fats that keep the skin moisturised and protects from UV damage which also leads to wrinkles. Vitamin C and E together, on the other hand, help form collagen which keeps your skin healthy and saves your skin from oxidative damage.

TOMATO: THE REJUVENATOR

Juice them, slice them or just bite into one because tomatoes are always refreshing. They are a rich source of vitamin C and an antioxidant called Lycopene, levels of which are higher and easily absorbed by one when the tomatoes are cooked.

Lycopene can help treat skin damage and also works as a natural sunscreen from within. The redder tomato, the better because there is more lycopene in them. Tomatoes also have high anti-ageing properties.

GO BIG ON GREENS

You know its healthy when it is green. Grab that bag of arugula or rocket leaves, spinach, kale, dandelion greens and collard greens the next time you hit the supermarket. Toss them in a salad or make your kale/spinach smoothies which help add the necessary fibres into your digestive system, revitalise your skin and helps the body detoxify.

These greens have abundant vitamin A, C, and K along with iron, calcium as well as folate which produces red blood cells. They help fight free radicals in your body that damage collagen.

A DASH OF THE YELLOW SPICE

Last year, Starbucks introduced the turmeric latte and it was all the rage. Instagram flooded with this golden latte pictures and Quora answering questions like, “What does this golden drink taste like?” The Indian spice is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that contribute to natural glow when applied as a mask with Greek yoghurt and honey. It also clears up acne and is a great exfoliator. If not the powder, you may get it in a supplement form.

BEET IT

Another extraordinary vegetable packed with beauty secrets. A glass of beetroot juice a day will purify your blood and get rid of toxins that will leave your skin radiant with no acne or pimples. It will also help clear up blemishes and dark spots because it consists of vitamin C. If you’re juicing it, then you may also add carrots and squeeze in some lemon juice for better taste.

There is absolutely no dearth of skin care solutions being bottled up and sold all over the world. Why not walk down the whole food section of the supermarket or a visit a farmers’ market on a weekend and take with you those colourful, garden-fresh veggies, fruits and healthy meats that have long-term benefits for not just your skin, but overall health. Including the necessary foods in your daily diet in moderation and also consulting with your family physician is another factor to pay heed to since they dietary demands would vary from person to person.

So shall we say bon appetit?