Why not head to your refrigerator or your pantry closet instead of the doctor’s office to fight the effects of aging on your skin and body?
Some of the best ways for us to grow old gracefully can be found right in our very own kitchens.
Most of the nutrients that our bodies need every day to survive are found in the foods that we eat. Unfortunately, many of us do not always make the best choices in the foods we eat to keep our bodies, and skin, healthy. Making a few changes to our diet can make a big difference in how we look and feel.
1. Berries
Blueberries have to take the lead as the best berry for anti-aging effects. But don’t count out the other berries like blackberries, cranberries, and raspberries, which all play a part in neutralizing free radicals that damage your skin.
You’ll notice a theme in the berries category here; they all are very colorful. Stick to dark-colored berries for the best nutritional punch. Berries actually help the body make collagen, the substance that supports and plumps the skin.
So adding a good portion of berries to your diet every day is a smart thing to do to battle wrinkles.
Berries are also loaded with Vitamins C, E, and riboflavin, as well as being a good source of fiber.
2. Green Tea
Green tea has to be considered a powerhouse in the fight against free radicals. It has become very popular lately for everything from losing weight to lowering blood pressure.
Green tea is known to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants. Not only does drinking green tea improve your overall health, but many skin creams on the market now contain green tea extracts, which allows you to rub it right into your skin.
Green tea is also believed to help prevent some skin cancers caused by the sun’s damaging rays. Drinking green tea daily gives you a good source of Vitamins C, D, K, and riboflavin, calcium, and iron.
3. Cold Water Fish
Cold water fish includes salmon, sardines, mackerel, and fresh tuna. You might say to yourself, but, those are all fatty fish. No worries these fish all contain fat is considered to be the healthy kind, containing omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes. These stronger cell membranes are more able to keep water in, which keeps the skin cells hydrated; and hydrated cells will give skin that supple and younger look.
Salmon is also high in selenium, which helps the body in its ongoing battle against skin-damaging free radicals.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in water-soluble vitamin C and folate. It also provides significant amounts of fat-soluble vitamin D. This can be especially important in the winter when you get less vitamin D from sunlight.
The USDA states that broccoli provides more nutrients than any other vegetable, including beta carotene, a precursor to fat-soluble vitamin A.
Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body for later use, while water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C must be renewed daily. Vitamins A and C help protect your body cells from damage and slow down the visible signs of aging.
6. Nuts – Great Anti Aging Food
Nuts are full of good fatty acids, and you need plenty of good fatty acids to help prevent skin dryness. Adding nuts to your daily diet will provide not only healthy fatty acids, but also Vitamins A, E, riboflavin, zinc, and selenium.
The Brazil nut is an especially excellent source of selenium, which helps with the skin’s elasticity and neutralizes free radicals in the body; the same free radicals that are destroying our skin’s collagen and elastin.
Eat a variety of nuts, including almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and pine nuts, every day to add good fatty acids to your diet along with a host of essential vitamins and minerals.
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7. Avocado- To Fight the Signs of Aging
Most people stay away from Avocados because of their high-fat content. But not to worry, most of the fat is monounsaturated and is considered a healthy fat.
Avocados are rich in omega-9 fat, powerful skin plumper which also improves dry skin, as well as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, which act together to form a strong anti-aging team.
Vitamin B6 is another free radical warrior and is essential to your skin’s youthful look and overall healthy condition.
Just one small avocado gives you enough B6 to meet your daily requirement.