(Photo : Pexels/Wendy Wei)
Skincare does not stop at the products that you regularly put on your skin or the dermatologist appointments that you make monthly. Taking care of your skin also entails consuming foods that are healthy for the largest organ of your body.
Numerous studies support the idea that diet can affect the skin's health.
A 2019 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that dietary habits are associated with facial wrinkling among women. It also revealed that women who ate more healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, were less likely to develop wrinkles.
Below are foods that you can eat to improve your skin's health.
1. Avocados
Avocados have a high monounsaturated fat content, which can help enhance the skin's appearance.
A higher consumption of total, saturated, and monounsaturated fats helps increase skin elasticity, giving you plump and younger-looking skin, a 2010 study showed.
2. Spinach
Spinach has antioxidants like beta-carotene, a carotenoid that acts as protection against sun damage, according to numerous studies. The green leafy vegetable also contains vitamin C, which aids in collagen production.
Research published by Cambridge University also found that the consumption of green and yellow vegetables helps combat signs of aging, such as wrinkling.
3. Sweet Potatoes
Like spinach, sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene.
4. Oranges
Oranges contain vitamin C and beta-carotene, both ingredients that are proven to be good for the skin.
5. Almonds
Aside from having high amounts of monounsaturated fats, almonds are also packed with vitamin E, another antioxidant that helps keep moisture in the skin.
6. Carrots
Carrots are known to be one of the best sources of beta-carotene. It also contains vitamin C. These nutrients are proven to aid in protecting the skin from sun-related damage, such as dark spots and blemishes.
7. Broccoli
Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which, according to a 2015 study, is linked to chemoprevention against several cancers, including skin cancer.
8. Dark chocolate
Fruits and vegetables are not the only foods included in this list. Dark chocolate can also be good for the skin as it contains flavanols that can serve as skin protection against sun damage and help increase skin density, a study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology showed.
9. Watermelon
Since watermelon is mostly just water, this fruit helps provide hydration to your skin, helping it become smooth and soft.
10. Sunflower seeds
Like almonds, sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, a nutrient that has anti-inflammatory effects for the skin, according to Linus Pauling Institute.
