The Rumor: Certain foods can help you stay young
The drug companies probably don’t want you to know this, but many believe it’s what you eat — not slather over your face – that’ll keep wrinkles at bay.
The Verdict: Some foods really will help you turn back time
The truth is, certain foods can help you minimize wrinkles and keep your skin naturally beautiful. Your epidermis responds to good nutrition, just like the rest of your body and brain. And, yes, there are studies that suggest nutrients can improve and protect your skin. In the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, a study looked at whether “types of foods consumed were correlated with skin wrinkling” and concluded certain foods may help ease those fine lines.
What If I live For The Sun?
The same study looked at subjects who were frequently exposed to the sun’s rays to see if there might be foods that could improve wrinkles. The researchers concluded that it’s possible to get a certain amount of protection from various skin-saving super foods and still have that sun-kissed healthy glow. Another double-blind study concluded that eating foods with antioxidants not only helped protect the skin from sun damage, but also helped it repair and rejuvenate.
What’s On The Anti-Wrinkle Menu?
So what foods work as digestible sunscreen? The following eats are full of skin-savvy nutrients that offer an inside-out approach to wrinkles and sun damage at the cellular level.
Cherries are sweet little fruits that are an excellent source of the antioxidant melatonin, which protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Melatonin stimulates new skin cell growth, making it essential for healing and repairing sunburn damage.
Pumpkin seeds are loaded in zinc, the protector of your cell membranes, the guardian of your collagen and the promoter of skin renewal. Great as a snack or yummy in trail mix or oatmeal.
Broccoli, a cruciferous veggie, offers a great way to reduce wrinkles because of the ample supply of beta-carotene and vitamin C it provides. Eat your broccoli raw or slightly steamed to make the most of its skin-saving abilities.
Sweet potatoes are a definite for delaying the development of wrinkles. A concentrated source of beta-carotene and vitamin C, they also contain unique root proteins which seem to have significant antioxidant properties. Sweet potatoes are also thought to promote the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which helps keep the skin smooth and supple.
Blueberries are one of the greatest health foods of all time, and they’re a boon to anyone worried about wrinkles. Research has shown that due to their high concentration of anthocyanins, blueberries contribute to the health of the collagen matrix (aka, keeps your skin elastic).
Tomatoes were a superstar in a study where participants ate 5 tablespoons of tomato paste per day. Lesley Rhodes, MD, Professor of Experimental Dermatology at the University of Manchester School of Medicine, says, “The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin significantly. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin ageing process.” So, yeah, tomatoes can make you look younger.
Also consider a diet rich in super foods such as salmon, walnuts, soy and flax, which are packed with omega-3s, healthy fats that protect skin from inflammation and help keep skin hydrated and radiant!
So, feel free to buy those exorbitantly priced face creams. They just may do a little something for those wrinkles and fine lines. Me, I’m going to down some blueberries for sure-fire results that have been actually proven to work!
