Forget those pricey creams, add these six foods to your skin-care routine!
We all know that good nutrition is important for good health and disease prevention, but many people don’t realize that what you eat can also affect your skin.
While many of us (me included!) can’t wait to try the latest skin creams and serums to keep our skin young and vibrant, did you know that certain foods can help do the trick – and with a much cheaper price tag?
In this article, I explore six foods that can help keep your skin healthy and glowing.
1. Salmon
Salmon and other omega-3-rich fish like tuna and herring can help keep your skin moisturized while also reducing inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep the skin supple, and a deficiency of this important essential fat can lead to dry skin.
And here’s another reason to eat more fish as summer approaches. Studies indicate that omega-3 fats can offer some protection to your skin from harmful UV rays.
Fatty fish also contains protein, necessary to maintain the skin’s health and vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from free radicals and oxidation.
While fish-oil supplements may help fight inflammation and some auto-immune conditions that affect the skin, I’m a proponent of a “food first” approach: trying to obtain nutrients from healthy foods first before turning to supplements.
Tasty tip: Enjoy grilled salmon for dinner over broccoli and wild rice or top your colorful salad with a can of salmon.
2. Grapes
While grapes have been made famous for their use in wine, grapes themselves contain many health benefits. Purple and red grapes are rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals that protect the skin, and resveratrol, an antioxidant protecting the skin from aging. In addition to shielding your skin from aging, these compounds may also protect against heart disease, cancer and the aging process in general.
Grapes also contain vitamins and minerals; they’re rich in the antioxidants vitamins A and C which may help revitalize the skin. They may also help protect your skin from sun damage.
Whole grapes are a healthier choice than grape juice. And you don’t need to eat a huge portion to reap their health benefits!
Tasty tip: I enjoy adding sliced grapes to salads and nibbling on frozen grapes. (I always keep a bunch in my freezer). The sweet and tart flavor of grapes also makes them a great fruit to cook with.
Read on HERE for additional foods for glowing skin.
You can enjoy the full article “6 foods for healthy, glowing skin” in US NEWS & WORLD REPORT.
Enjoy!
Have a healthy week!
Warmly,
Lisa
Lisa R. Young, PhD, RDN
Recipe of the week: roasted butternut squash