Foods For The Soul And The Skin

Can the fountain of youth be found in high-tech laboratories? Although cosmetic companies are spending millions on research projects dedicated to discovering ways to keep skin young and beautiful, the answers they are looking for could simply be found in your kitchen and back-yard.

1. EFAs

EFAs are essential fatty acids. Don’t be alarmed by the word “fat”, as some fats are actually good for your body. The function of essential fatty acids is to hold water inside cells by creating a water-proof barrier. When water is locked in in this way, skin cells stay hydrated and moisturized. Essential fatty acids can be found in nuts, seeds and oily fish. EFAs are used to reduce the severity of skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea, and some studies have revealed that EFAs can protect DNA from damage and can also reduce inflammation.

2. Blueberries

Antioxidants are what make blueberries special. Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to cells upon contact, and this damage can lead to various skin diseases and premature signs of ageing. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from wreaking havoc, thus saving the skin cells from damage. Vitamin C and E are the antioxidants found in blueberries, and they are also excellent sources of riboflavin and fiber.

3. Citrus Fruits

Grapefruits, oranges and lemons are citrus fruits, which are great sources of bioflavonoids and vitamin C. These two nutrients help in the formation of collagen. Collagen helps cells to maintain their structure in the skin, and is also responsible for making the skin firm. Collagen allows the skin to stretch, and without it, our skin would sag and wrinkles would start to become more prominent. Without collagen, the skin would also lose its ability to heal quickly.

4. Green Tea

Green tea deserves to be a part of everyone’s daily routine. It is rich in antioxidants, which fight off damage-inflicting free radicals. Green tea is also rich in polyphenols, which are potent fighters of free radicals. Green tea is thought to protect the skin from UV damage, and reactivate skin cells that are dying. It is also rich in riboflavin, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and vitamins C, D and K. These nutrients are not only good for your skin, but for your body as well. Just make sure to brew your tea for no longer than 3 minutes, as burnt green tea has an unpleasant and bitter taste.

5. Water

Keeping hydrated is another important component of anyone’s daily routine. Water removes toxins that prevent our skin from looking clean, clear and healthy, and does this by removing these toxins from the liver. Water also helps to prevent livers from becoming full of free radicals, which are bad for the skin. By drinking the right amount of water you can help your liver to cleanse itself of toxins. According to the Institute of Medicine, an adequate daily intake of water for men is 3 liters (approximately 13 cups), and 2.2 liters (approximately 9 cups) for women.

[box_light]The author of this article is Meredith Gray, who writes articles on beauty, health, lifestyle. He is a contributor and a writer for Shahiya.com an English and Arabic Recipe website.[/box_light]

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