If you suffer from skin problems, you know how much it can impact your confidence and your self-esteem – but it can actually have deeper impacts on your overall health. Your skin is your body’s natural defense against harmful bacteria that could cause infections, and taking care of this major organ can have meaningful benefits to your well-being.
While keeping your skin clean and protected from irritants is important, you can also take better care of your skin by eating certain foods. There are tons of organic, vegan foods that are beneficial to the skin, so keep this list in the mind the next time you’re picking up some groceries and try and incorporate these ingredients into your diet.
Tomatoes
The lycopene found in these tasty fruits is a powerful antioxidant that can help keep your skin safe from free radicals, which can age your skin prematurely and make even fine lines more noticeable. Sunscreen is obviously still a vital part of ensuring the health of your skin, but tomatoes can also provide you with some additional protection against UV rays.
Tomatoes are also super easy to add to your diet – slice them up and put them on a sandwich, chop them up and throw them in a salad, or even eat them whole with a bit of salt and pepper for a tasty snack. This is a great versatile food that can make a huge difference to your skin’s health.
Spinach
This is another great option for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors – studies have proven that individuals who consume plenty of leafy greens like collard greens and spinach have a 40 per cent lower risk of developing skin tumors. Spinach is also full of vitamin K and folate, which can reduce the appearance of acne, bruises, and even under-eye circles.
You can add spinach to salads, stir-fries, or even pasta sauces for a little boost to your skin’s health. Popeye loves it – and so should you!
Flax seeds
Chock full of omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds provide a ton of great health benefits – including helping protect your skin from wrinkles and fine lines, and even lowering inflammation in the body. This can make your skin look smoother, tighter, and younger – and keeps your heart healthy, as well!
Flax seeds are a perfect addition to oatmeal, granola, or baking. You can even use flax seeds and water instead of eggs to make any recipe a little more vegan-friendly.
Dark chocolate
Sure, everyone says chocolate is bad for your skin – but it’s actually the sugar that’s the culprit. Dark chocolate is rich in anti-aging antioxidants called flavonoids, and these will help make your skin appear youthful and refreshed. You’ll also benefit from a lowered risk of developing cancer or heart disease.
Adding chocolate to your diet should be pretty easy as long as you use the right one. Keep in mind that raw chocolate or cacao is healthy for consumption, whereas the typical chocolate is harmful to one’s health. Also, if you’re not used to the more bitter flavour of dark chocolate, try eating it with some almonds or other nuts. This is an ideal way to indulge your sweet tooth and keep your skin looking and feeling great.
Citrus fruits
Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits – these delicious fruits contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients that are vital when it comes to protecting your skin, and keeping it silky-smooth. Vitamin C is essential for minimizing wrinkles, and you’ll also benefit from a healthier immune system. These fruits also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and can even help treat headaches.
Enjoy a piece of citrus fruit as a healthy, skin-saving snack, or toss them in with a salad for a little change of pace. You can also juice them to benefit from all the nutrients they contain, but you will lose some of the fiber.
Supplementing your diet with these organic, vegan foods will help improve your skin, but you’ll still need to take care of yourself in other ways. Make sure you’re practicing good hygiene, getting enough rest, and avoiding things like alcohol and smoking that can wreak havoc on your skin – and always make sure you’re wearing sunblock when you’re heading outside. The more you care for your skin, the healthier and more beautiful it will look. Treat your skin well, eat some of these skin-saving foods, and enjoy a radiant, glowing complexion.
This article was written by Katie Mills from Steam Shower Store, the UK's premier steam shower, steam cabin and whirlpool bath specialist. Katie has been writing articles for over 10 years and is a commanding voice in the health and fitness community with her articles high in demand.
You may also like
Best Fat-Fighting Superfoods for Weight Loss
6 Health Benefits of Chocolate For Women
7 Packaged Foods That Are Actually Healthy
A Holistic Approach to Beautifying Your Skin from the Inside Out
Super Awesome Skin Care Tips and Tricks