When it comes to your skin, what’s on the inside matters. A diet full of processed and nutrient-dense foods will only leave you with oily, dull, and sullen skin — no one wants that. For flawless and enviable skin, getting enough antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats are essential.
Keep reading to find out what are the best foods to eat for perfect skin.
Dark Chocolate
This treat serves up a cocktail of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are great for your skin.
Cocoa is an excellent source of manganese, which reduces the stress hormones that cause breakouts. This nutrient also prevents the breakdown of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin supple.
Packed with powerful antioxidants vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, dark chocolate fights premature aging and protects from UV damage.
Still not convinced of the power of dark chocolate? A 2018 study revealed that regularly consuming dark chocolate, with at least 70% cocoa, aids in skin cell renewal and keeps your skin’s barrier healthy.
Swap out your usual sugar-laden desserts with a piece of dark chocolate — your skin will thank you.
Avocados
It’s safe to say that avocados are everyone’s favorite fruit. They taste great when spread on a piece of toast and give you glowing skin.
Avocados are rich in two (2) types of fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fats help hydrate your skin from the inside out and keep it plump.
Eating the fats in avocados also helps to replenish and balance your skin’s natural oils. This makes it the perfect beauty superfood for all skin types.
Berries
Berries are one of the healthiest foods to eat for perfect skin. Why? They’re chock full of antioxidants. As you already know, antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that are known to damage skin and cause wrinkles.
It is believed that ellagic acid, an antioxidant found in berries, is responsible for providing skin-related benefits. In fact, research reveals that it reduces wrinkles and prevents inflammation.
Berries are also loaded with vitamin A, which helps to balance oil levels in your skin — meaning it’s the best option for those prone to breakouts.
Cucumbers
This crunchy and cool veggie can drastically transform your skin. With its high water content, cucumbers give your skin a boost of hydration. As we already know, hydration is an essential part of healthy and glowing skin.
Cucumbers also contain silica, a nutrient that helps your body produce hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture. It’s also responsible for promoting collagen synthesis, which fights wrinkles and improves skin texture.
Not to mention, cucumbers are also high in anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce facial puffiness, especially under the eyes.
Banana
Healthy skin starts with a healthy gut and bananas are loaded with prebiotic fiber that supports bacterial levels in your gut.
Not eating enough prebiotics could spell trouble for your skin. A 2018 study found a connection between a bacterial imbalance in the gut and inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Along with keeping your microbiome in check, bananas also contain high levels of manganese, which protects your skin from free radical damage.
Non-Dairy Milk
Non-dairy milk doesn’t actively clear your skin, but it is a great option for those suffering from acne breakouts.
Studies show that whey and casein found in milk increase oil production and cause acne flare-ups. Switching to non-dairy milk could slow the occurrence of breakouts.
There are quite a few non-dairy milk alternatives out there. Almond milk is a great alternative as
it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals like zinc and vitamin E, which play a major role in preventing acne.
Citrus Fruits
Wanna know the secret to diminished dark circles and even skin tone? Vitamin C. Citrus fruit such as grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels under your eyes which minimizes the appearance of dark circles. It also prevents skin discoloration by destroying free radicals.
Another great thing about citrus fruit is that it balances your skin’s pH. When your skin’s pH is off, you’ll notice an increase in irritation, dryness, and inflammation. Including citrus fruits in your diet ensures that you maintain the perfect skin pH.
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