Food for your skin

A good beauty regime, healthy diet and proper exercise are the keys for getting healthy and glowing skin. Here are some foods that you should eat daily to get a healthy glowing skin:

• Eating tomatoes and tomato based food can help to clear acne. Lycopene present in tomatoes help to combat acne and stubborn spots. You can always include tomatoes in your diet between 3-5 times a week. The phytochemical Lycopene also protect the skin from UV rays and improve the skin’s antioxidant status. Antioxidants combat free radicals produced from excessive sun exposure.
  
  
  
  
  

• Green tea fights acne by lowering the levels of acne producing hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). One should drink three to five cups of green tea daily to get a flawless complexion. Green tea also has anti-oxidants that make your skin look young and healthy.
  
  
  
  

• Deep colored berries like blueberries and cherries are rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants help your body to keep acne and blemishes at bay. Sometimes blemishes occur due to oxidative stress, antioxidants in berries will help to remove these blemishes.

• Berries such a strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are all loaded with vitamin C. Vitamin C help to prevent inflammation and give skin a healthy glow.
  

• An International study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition show that those who consumed fish and seafood regularly had less skin wrinkling. This is because Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and seafood slow down the wrinkling process. Inflammatory chemicals act on the collagen of the skin causing wrinkles. Omega 3 Fatty Acids can delay the secretion of the inflammatory chemicals and prevent premature signs of ageing from appearing on the skin. Omega 3 fatty acids also help to fight acne, which is also a type of inflammation caused by bacteria. Those who are prone to acne should eat four to five servings of fish every week. You can also have fish oil supplements as well.
  

• Ceramides are lipid molecules that help the skin to maintain its moisture balance. Many skincare products have ceramides in the list of ingredients. You can also consume naturally occurring ceramides by having brown rice. These ceramides gets absorbed in the outer layer of the skin and this help to maintain its hydration.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Almonds help to retain moisture in the body. Eating almonds everyday soaked overnight can give the skin a healthy appearance and reduce dryness. Almonds are also rich in vitamin E which is good for the skin.
  

• Bananas are rich in vitamins A, B and E and works like an anti-ageing agent. This fruit when mixed with honey gives the skin an instant glow. Eat one banana daily. You can also mash a banana and blend it with honey and apply it on your face. Wash it with lukewarm water after 15 minutes. Repeat this method once in two days for best results.
  
  
  

• Yogurt is rich in probiotics and it ensures a healthy gut. When your digestive tract is clean your skin gives a natural glow. Applying yogurt also gives you a healthy glowing skin naturally.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Cucumber also makes the skin fair. You can have a cucumber in your salads and also apply it on your face. The cooling effect of cucumbers soothes the face and reduces sun tan.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Drink enough water and citrus fruit juices to make the skin fair and healthy. Hydrated skin stays healthy and plump always.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Milk has lots of vitamins that are good for your skin. Drink 2-3 glasses of milk daily. If you are lactose intolerant you can try protein rich soy milk.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  *Sourced copy