Healthy skin is a reflection of what we eat. To live a healthy lifestyle exercise, sleep and relaxation is very important. These factors help in keeping the skin younger. It is true that the healthier you will eat, better, younger and more gorgeous you will look. If to want to make your skin look smoother, younger you need to add antioxidants in your diet.
So, what are antioxidants? Antioxidants play an important role in overall health. They are natural compounds found in some foods that help to neutralize free radicals in our bodies.
Now you might be thinking that what are free radicals? Free radicals are substances that occur naturally in our bodies but attack the fats, protein and the DNA in our cells, which can cause diseases and it also, accelerate the aging process.
How do antioxidants benefit the skin? Antioxidants protect the skin by limiting the production of free radicals which can damage skin cells. These antioxidants can do lot to improve health and appearance of your skin which includes reducing the signs of ageing. It also helps to calm inflamed skin and make then toned and tight.
10 Best Antioxidant Foods for Skincare
1- Berries: – Berries rank highest in antioxidants. These delicious berries can be cranberries, acai, blueberries, raspberries or can be strawberries. Just half cup of blueberries can give you all the antioxidants you need for the day. These help to keep skin young and healthy for long time. You can consume it as smoothies, cereals, muffins and tarts of berries or can keep fresh berries frozen in freezer.
2- Watermelons: – Watermelon is the delicious summer fruit with lots of water content. This fruit quenches the thirst and are rich source of lycopene. This lycopene in watermelons are free radicals fighting antioxidant.
3- Dark chocolate: – Dark chocolate contains flavanols which act as antioxidants. Eating chocolate regularly can make your skin soft and healthy. Its regular use also offers you sun protection.
Dark chocolate increase the level of antioxidant but drinking milk while eating chocolates can cancels out the benefits. Consuming dark chocolate can increase 20% level of plasma in blood.
4- Red Apples: – It is true that all the apples contain antioxidants but red apples are very rich in antioxidants. The major source of antioxidants in apples is polyphenols, which are five times more in apple’s skin. So buy organic apples and eat them without peeling it.
5- Green Tea: – As we know that green tea contains caffeine but do you know that they are also high in catechin polyphenols, which is a strong antioxidant. One cup green tea has antioxidant whose effects are greater than serving broccoli, spinach or carrots. You can have hot green tea or iced green tea.
6- Tomatoes: – Tomatoes are one of the most versatile cooking ingredient which is nature’s richest source of lycopene. This lycopene is one of the strongest antioxidants. If tomatoes are paired with olive oil then it will increase lycopene levels. Try to buy organic tomatoes as they come with spray of pesticides and fungicides.
7- Red wines: – I know you might be thinking that alcohol makes the skin dehydrated and also cause other health effects. But the truth is that alcohol is very high in powerful antioxidant, resveratrol. Red wine gives your diet a good antioxidant boost. Make sure that it should be consumed only 1 glass a day.
8- Pomegranate: – Pomegranate is very much used in skincare products as they are high in antioxidant and also anti-aging power. This lush, seed-bearing fruit provides vitamin C and B5, potassium and antioxidant polyphenols. Pomegranate juice has higher in antioxidants, higher than red wine, green tea and wild blueberries.
9- Sunflower seeds: – Sunflower seeds contain selenium which helps to achieve smooth and tight skin. These are excellent snack which gives you the energy to keep going strong. Antioxidant selenium means that the more sunflower seeds you eat, the longer you will look young.
10- Broccoli: – Broccoli is highest in antioxidants among vegetables. Broccoli is very rich in vitamin C and calcium and it contains more than oranges and milk. Nutrients get destroyed if overcooked so lightly steam them and consume them with olive oil and rock salt.
Include these antioxidant rich foods in your diet and get glowing and healthy skin. Please comment below if you find this article useful.
Hello, informative article. Antioxidants foods are best way to stay healthy.