A glowing, healthy complexion reflects your inner health and can be one of the most attractive features of a person. Do you spend thousands of rupees on skin care products? These can actually damage your skin as they often contain various chemicals. Beauty regimes can also have a harsh effect on your skin when done incorrectly. Why not take a quick look through your humble kitchen shelf and fridge. You’ll be amazed to find various foods for healthy skin.

Pollution, stress, experimentation with creams, lotions, and excessive sun exposure are some of the main factors that lead to skin problems and a dull, lifeless complexion. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet can counter and prevent the effects of such skin problems to a large extent. When you add some of these foods for healthy skin to your regular diet, the transformation of your complexion can be astounding.

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and nature has provided humans with some of the best agents to care for this organ. Natural super foods are easily available, free from harmful effects, and effective at ensuring that your skin remains youthful and protected. So the next time, instead of reaching out for a packet of chips or a slice of sugary pastry, snack on some of these delicious foods for healthy skin.

Five Effective Foods For Healthy Skin

Foods For Healthy Skin # 1 – Almonds

Almonds make the perfect midday snack. You can count on these easily available nuts to meet your daily quota of Vitamin E, the blockbuster antioxidant that protects the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Almonds not only prevent premature ageing of the skin, but also moisturize and nourish it, maintaining its suppleness. They are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which improve blood circulation and reduce skin dryness, leading to healthier skin.

Foods For Healthy Skin # 2 – Fish

Eating fish – salmon, tuna, sardines, herring – is the best way of stocking up on omega-3 fatty acids and selenium, both of which protect the skin against harmful free radicals from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. They also prevent the skin inflammation that leads to ageing. Selenium helps keep the skin young and smooth by promoting the presence of the protein elastin and by preventing certain types of skin cancer. The omega-3 fatty acids also help in preventing wrinkles. They plump up the skin and decrease the clogging of skin pores.

Foods For Healthy Skin # 3 – Colorful Fruits And Vegetables

Green, red, yellow, and orange colored vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli not only make a pretty picture but also have a high content of antioxidants, which protect against the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. They are also rich in vitamins C and E, which add to the skin’s elasticity and suppleness by producing collagen.

Carrots contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is instrumental in maintaining and repairing skin cells and tissues. In fact, green vegetables like spinach help in skin cell regeneration, which then reduces the growth of cancer cells.

According to a study conducted by the International Journal of Cancer, people who ate large amounts of green leafy vegetables had half as many cases of skin tumours over 11 years in comparison to people who ate fewer servings of greens.

Citrus and tropical fruits like kiwis, pineapples, oranges, and guavas also keep the skin youthful and firm. They fight skin-damaging free radicals as they contain vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Foods For Healthy Skin # 4 – Flaxseeds, Pumpkin Seeds, And Sunflower Seeds

Pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and sunflower seeds have a high content of zinc, one of the key ingredients for skin renewal and the protection of cell membranes. Flax seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by moisturizing the skin and reducing inflammation.

In fact, in a study conducted by The British Journal of Nutrition, the skin of the participants who had 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids for 6 weeks showed improved hydration and less redness.

Foods For Healthy Skin # 5 – Green Tea

Green tea is the magic potion that helps the skin ward off the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and protect cell membranes. It is full of powerful antioxidants, vitamins C, K, and D as well as nutrients like calcium, zinc, and riboflavin.

According to research conducted by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia, green tea is virtually “a fountain of youth” as it is rich in a polyphenol called EGCG , which plays an active role in reactivating dying skin cells.

You can enjoy the benefits of these abundantly available foods for healthy skin without burning a hole in your pocket and more importantly, without damaging your skin. The nutrients packed in these foods can help you maintain a youthful and healthy complexion sans too much effort on your part. These foods are truly a gift of nature and you must make full use of them!