- Besides beauty products, several foods also have anti-aging effects.
- Coffee can fight free radicals.
- Dark chocolate can protect the skin from UV rays.
While several beauty products effectively provide younger-looking skin, experts share that there are also many foods proven to be anti-aging agents.
Here are some of them.
1. Almonds
Almonds contain healthy fats which are proven effective to make the skin healthier. The vitamin A, B and E in almonds can protect the skin from inflammation. Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist at Manhattan and Cosmetic Surgery, also shares that almond nuts and seeds’ nutritional content can hydrate the skin, make it elastic, help regenerate cells, and provide protection against free radicals.
2. Acai Berry
Acai berries are dark-purple fruits packed with a lot of nutrition and are regarded as “superfruits” because of their health benefits. They can improve cholesterol levels and boost brain functions as well. Their antioxidant content makes them great for making the skin healthy and young. The many ingredients provide berries with its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing and brightening properties.
3. Coffee
In moderate consumption, coffee also has health benefits. The caffeine can constrict blood vessels, but it can reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation along with it. According to Diane Nelson, a registered nurse and the vice president of Medical, Clinical, and Scientific affairs at Skin Better Science, coffee is loaded with antioxidants which can protect the skin from the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants can also help retain skin moisture and lessen inflammation.
4. Dark Chocolate
A study published in the Journal of Phytochemistry shows that flavonols antioxidant present in dark chocolate can shield the skin from UV rays and protect it from free radicals.
5. Fish
The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish have been shown to reduce inflammation brought about by the sun’s UV rays. A dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology, Erum Ilyas, adds that fish has the ability to lower the levels of prostaglandin E2, preventing the breakdown of collagen that often results in wrinkles. Omega 3, combined with vitamin E and C, can promote collagen synthesis, as shown by some studies.
6. Fruits
Fruits contain many essential nutrients for making the body healthy and strong. Among these nutrients, lycopene, the red pigment in berries and tomatoes, has been shown to promote younger-looking skin. Ilyas explains that lycopene is an effective antioxidant which can shield the skin from UV ray damage.
7. Kefir
Kefir is a creamy, somewhat sour drink, but contains many nutrients like B vitamins, calcium, protein and probiotics. Probiotics have been noted in studies to be effective in treating skin conditions like acne, eczema and rosacea. Engelman explains that maintaining a healthy gut through eating foods rich in probiotics can help reduce skin inflammation.
8. Kimchi
Kimchi contains fermented vegetables, mostly cabbage and radishes. This Korean cuisine is loaded with probiotics that help in reducing adult acne.
9. Legumes
Legumes can include beans, chickpeas and lentils. They contain vital younger-skin promoting nutrients like folate, iron, magnesium and potassium. With other antioxidants, they work together to prevent the fast aging of the skin.
10. Olive Oil
Among its many health benefits, olive oil is also known for its anti-aging properties. Ilyas shares that the antioxidants in olive oil can prevent collagen breakdown and UV ray damage.
11. Turmeric
Studies show that turmeric can provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, wound-healing and calming effects to the skin.
12. Vegetables
Leafy greens are rich sources of carotenoids, calcium, iron and vitamin C. These nutrients are proven effective in protecting the skin against the UV rays, delaying the skin’s aging.
Source: The Healthy