You might not be able to stop yourself ageing, but there are ways you can help to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. Drinking plenty of water, exercising and wearing sunscreen are the best ways to keep your skin hydrated and wrinkle-free, but diet also plays a crucial part.
Here are seven foods that can help keep your skin looking great.
Watermelon
Not only does watermelon provide important hydration for your skin, but it also contains an antioxidant compound called lycopene that gives it and tomatoes their red colour. Lycopene helps to protect skin against UV damage, which is a significant cause of ageing skin. It is believed that watermelon contains about 40 per cent more lycopene than raw tomatoes (cooked tomatoes, however, are quite rich in lycopene).
Shellfish
Zinc accelerates the renewal of skin cells, and shellfish, such as lobsters, crabs and especially oysters, contain zinc in spades. Shellfish also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can treat a range of skin irritations, including acne.
Nuts
Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts, are high in omega-3 fatty acids and natural oils that can help to improve your skin and hair’s ability to lock in moisture. The vitamin E contained in almonds helps to fight skin ageing, and the copper in walnuts keeps your hair’s natural colour rich, helping to fend off grey hairs.
Avocado
Eating avocado helps the outer layers of your skin hold in moisture and maintain a soft and supple appearance. Avocados are an all-round miracle food, providing many other healthy benefits because of their oleic acid and omega-9 fatty acids.
Citrus fruits
Many anti-ageing creams on the market promise to replenish your collagen, which helps your skin look firm and plump. Collagen breakdown can accelerate ageing skin and allow wrinkles to form. Oranges, lemons and grapefruit are rich in vitamin C, which helps to boost your body’s production of collagen and tighten up loose skin.
Avoid sugar
Sugar has long been held responsible for causing bad skin and acne. This is because it is highly acidic and believed to cause inflammation in the body. As sugar enters the bloodstream, it attaches to collagen proteins to form destructive new molecules called advanced glycation end products (appropriately shortened to AGEs), which damage your collagen. The more sugar you eat, the more AGEs you form and the more damage to your skin occurs.
Multivitamins
There are a plethora of pills out there promising to keep your skin looking radiant and prevent you from ageing, but there’s nothing like real vitamins to keep you (and your skin) healthy. In addition to eating the right foods, you might consider a multivitamin that is marketed at conditioning your hair, skin and nails. Vitamins A, C, B3 and E are all believed to help fight skin ageing.
Related articles:
Best foods for weight loss
Five foods for your face
Caring for your skin as you age
