Healthy Eating for Healthy Skin

We all know it: what  you put in your mouth becomes what you are.  The foods that you eat have a dramatic effect on your overall health, including the health of your skin.  Here are some tips to promote healthy eating for healthy skin.

Vitamin C in an antioxidant, which means it fights free radicals.  Free radicals damage cells leading to everything from wrinkles to skin cancer.  Strawberries and blueberries are high in vitamin C, much higher than oranges or  grapefruit.

Nettles have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is calming for many skin conditions, including acne and eczema when you make it into tea.  This herb is also very high in antioxidants and is detoxifying, which also helps to clear up your skin.

Another tea you may want to get in the habit of drinking is green tea.  It’s full of nutrients, minerals and is an anti-inflammatory.  Research suggests that it may reduce your risk of skin cancer.  Another bonus is that green tea is very relaxing.

Another great way to get antioxidants into your diet is to consume olive oil.  Olive oil has been used for millennia both topically and for food, to help skin.  Olive oil can be applied to dry skin and can easily be applied to your lips, too.

Wild salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which keep your skin moisturized, supple and radiant.  Salmon’s high content of selenium will help to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.

Walnuts are also very high in omega-3 fatty acids.  They also have a good amount of vitamin E, which keeps your skin soft and smooth.

If you like tomato sauce, you’re in luck.  Tomatoes are the best source of lycopene, an anti-aging antioxidant, and it’s actually more easily absorbed into your blood stream when the tomatoes are cooked.

Chocolate lovers rejoice!  Dark chocolate is also high in  antioxidants.  It even helps to protect your skin from sun damage and helps to keep it hydrated.  Just be sure that the chocolate you’re eating is at least 60% cacao – any less than that and you’re eating mostly sugar.

Healthy eating for healthy skin works!  Try any of all of these tips and you should soon see real results.