When we are young, we don’t think about our skin much except perhaps to cover up pesky acne or how we can get a good tan. Priorities change, of course, as we age. Acne and blemishes may still be issues for us, but instead of covering them up with gobs of concealer, our years have hopefully made us wiser. Now we know that in order to achieve soft, silky, beautiful skin, it has to come from the inside out.
Take a look at these seven foods good for skin that can help you have radiant skin at any age. Many of them are chock full of antioxidants, “healthy” fats, and phytonutrients that can help reduce lines, wrinkles, prevent melanoma, and make you feel great in the process!
7 Foods Good for Skin
#1 – WATER.
Maybe it goes without saying, but seriously − staying hydrated is probably the BEST thing you can do for your skin (as well as for your entire body).
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and, just like any other organ, it is made up of cells. Cells need to be hydrated in order to work properly. When you don’t drink enough fresh, filtered water, your cells suffer and this shows in the form of dry, rough, wrinkly skin.
The body itself is made up of between 60 and 70% water. The water in your system and your skin work together to regulate dozens of functions in the body, not the least of which is temperature. According to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, in addition to drinking at least half your weight in ounces of water per day, you can also “seal in” hydration by applying a chemical-free, preservative-free moisturizer to your skin right after you get out of the shower or tub.
#2 – GREEN TEA.
Not only does green tea give you a lift, according to several studies, but the plant-based antioxidants in green tea can provide your skin with great protection from environmental pollutants and overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
According to a study conducted in 2012 by University Hospitals Medical Center and Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, green tea is an “abundant source” of plant polyphenols which can be chemoprotectant and skin protectant through boosting the immune system.
When we’re young, healthy skin is not typically the first thing on our minds. But as we get older, we learn that skin health comes from the inside out. Watch this video to learn how to keep your skin looking youthful!
#3 – GREEN LEAFY VEGGIES.
This especially includes spinach, kale, collard greens, and watercress. Spinach has shown to improve digestion and help with flushing out toxins because of its high fiber and sulphur content. Kale and watercress are definitely a friend to your skin because of their high vitamin C content.
Although research regarding vitamin C and skin health, in particular, is rare, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C as well as its role in collagen synthesis help make it a very important molecule for skin health. This is because ascorbic acid is found in both the dermis and epidermis layers.
Aging and too much sun exposure can lower the amount of vital vitamin C in the skin overall. According to a study conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, overexposure to ozone as well as oxidative damage can affect vitamin C stores in the epidermis in particular.
Keep in mind that one cup of kale can contain 134% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin C. So try to get your kale on every day for skin and overall health!
#4 – HEALTHY FATS.
Healthy skin relies partly on the presence of a solid lipid (fat) layer in the hypodermis. Without this, skin begins to sag. One way to ensure a healthy lipid layer is to consume healthy fats such as monounsaturated fatty acids and omega 3s. Olive oil is one of the best sources of monounsaturated fatty acids.
A 2012 study published in the journal PLOS ONE analyzed the eating habits of over 1,200 women and over 1,600 men. They discovered that those who had a higher consumption of olive oil (more than 2 teaspoons a day) had significantly fewer signs of aging compared to those who ate less than 1 teaspoon per day.
Other sources of healthy fats include avocados, eggs, sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, and brazil nuts. Many nuts and seeds have hefty amounts of vitamin E in them which supports healthy skin growth.
The high vitamin E content in sunflower seeds has been shown to reduce severe acne in research studies. Brazil nuts, in particular, are excellent for skin health because of their high selenium content. Studies show that high-selenium diets can help reduce your risk of cancer, including skin cancer.
#5 – BERRIES.
Of course, the high antioxidant content (in the form resveratrol and other phytonutrients) in red and purple-colored berries make them ideal candidates for overall health and can protection your skin from environmental pollutants as well. Many kinds of berries also provide your body with key vitamins and minerals which enhance skin health.
Blackberries in particular are a great source of vitamin K, which helps the body’s blood clotting processes. Vitamin K is also reported to help heal wounds and lessen scarring after injury or surgery.
Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse for the total body with proven anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties. Dark-colored berries contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that help to shield the skin from free radicals that can damage the collagen in your skin. Blueberries, like all berries, also contain high amounts of vitamin C.
#6 – BONE B
ROTH.
The benefits of bone broth to your immune system and gut health are many, but did you know that consuming quality bone broth on a regular basis can also help your skin maintain its elasticity and glow?
This is because bone broth contains collagen, which is extracted from the marrow part of the bone as it boils.
Collagen, along with keratin and elastin, is one of the major proteins that make up the skin; collagen alone represents about 70 percent of the overall protein in this organ. Collagen helps give strength to tissues and may even help improve skin barrier functions, according to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
#7 – MUSHROOMS.
Believe it or not, consuming mushrooms can not only boost your immune system, they can also significantly help with skin tone and skin hydration as well as prevent sagging.
There are actually quite a few mushroom types that contain substances that can give your skin a lift. Medicinal mushrooms contain polysaccharides which are able to help hydrate skin similar to hyaluronic acid, the body’s “natural moisturizer.”
Shiitake mushrooms, along with other kinds of mushrooms, contain kojic acid. Kojic acid is known to be a natural skin toner and lightener and some studies have connected kojic acid to inhibiting melatonin production on skin.
Many medicinal mushrooms – such as shiitake, reishi, and turkey tail mushrooms – also contain powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These compounds can not only help protect the skin from environmental pollutants and oxidative stress, but may also provide support for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.
Your Skin is Affected by What Goes On It and What Goes In It
Remember that not only does your skin absorb everything you put on it, as the largest organ of your body, it is also intricately affected by every nutrient and harmful chemical you put in your body as well.
It makes sense that the seven foods good for skin mentioned above are also some of the best foods you can consume for your body as a whole. The logic is simple – what is good for the inside is good for the outside as well.
In addition, there are some things you should NOT put in your body that can help your skin health significantly. These include the “common culprits” that can lead to diseases of all kinds:
- Sugary foods
- GMO foods
- Trans fats
- Preservatives and additives
- Commercial meats that contain hormones and antibiotics
- Unfiltered tap water
Most of all, if you use sunscreen, lotion, or cream on your skin – whether it is for your face, your arms, your feet, or your entire body – make sure it is preservative-free and all-natural. Did you know that of the 10,000 chemicals used in personal care products, only 13% have been tested for safety?
Take care of your skin by being mindful of what you put ON your skin from the outside and how you affect your skin organ from the INSIDE as well. By doing this, you can not only have beautiful skin, you may also have amazing health at any age!
7 Mushrooms from Organixx contains 7 of nature’s most powerful mushrooms for anti-aging, longevity, and immune support. Using centuries-old knowledge of the power of nutritional mushrooms and our breakthrough new formulation process we’ve unleashed the power of mushrooms in a way never before done.
If you’re of a certain age and grew up eating the typical American diet, chances are you never even heard of quinoa until the past decade or so. But this tiny South American pseudograin (“pseudograins” are the seeds & grasses commonly categorized as grains) has certainly taken the world by storm over the past several years. So much so that the United Nations even named 2013 as “The International Year of Quinoa.”
Because it’s gluten-free, quinoa is a good choice for celiacs and anyone following any type of gluten-free diet. One cup of cooked quinoa also packs a powerful nutritional punch. It’s got 222 calories, 5.2 grams of fiber, 8.1 grams of protein, and 3.6 grams of fat. It also supplies 30% of the daily recommended value of magnesium, which so many of us are deficient in.
Quinoa is one of the rare plant products that is a complete protein. This means that it has all 9 of the essential amino acids that your body needs to make important biochemicals such as hormones and neurotransmitters. (Note: they’re called “essential” amino acids because your body can’t make them on its own − you must get them from food sources.)
For this tasty recipe you cook your quinoa in plain Bone Broth Protein powder, which ups the protein content significantly before using it to stuff the peppers. Hint: You can also add a scoop the pure bone broth protein powder when cooking rice, couscous, or quinoa as a side dish.
Bone broths are a good source of minerals and are rich in amino acids, especially glycine and proline. Glycine supports detoxification and is used by the body to make hemoglobin, bile salts, and other natural chemicals. Proline supports skin health, especially in combination with vitamin C. Bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C.
While the recipe shows red bell peppers, feel free to substitute green peppers, yellow peppers, or orange peppers − or even use a variety of pepper colors for an extra pretty presentation.
One important note is to use organic or no spray peppers whenever possible. Bell peppers are on the Environmental Working Groups Dirty Dozen list of the produce with the highest pesticide residue. By purchasing organic peppers, you’ll avoid consuming these harmful chemicals.
Organixx Organic Bone Broth Protein powder comes in 3 flavors and provides you with an incredibly concentrated source of the vitamins, minerals, 19 amino acids, and vital proteins your body needs to thrive… without the hassle of making bone broth yourself.
