Top 5 Foods for Beautiful Skin

Discovery Health recently released information pertaining to the best foods for one to eat if they seek beautiful, healthy skin. Healthy skin basically boils down to vitamins, nutrients, and a healthy diet of protein, vegetables, fruits, and whole-grains.

5. Seafood

 

Active components: Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc
Benefits: Smooth, clear and glowing skin

Increasing omega-3 intake can reduce dryness and inflammation. Inflammation can cause skin to age.

 4. Citrus Fruits

 

Active component: Vitamin C
Benefits: Smooth and taut skin

Vitamin C is a prime skin-care ingredient in tons of beauty creams. This vitamin aids in the body's production of collagen, a protein that forms the basic structure of your skin. In case you get tired of eating all that fruit, hot peppers, bell peppers and sprouts also have good amounts of vitamin C.

3. Red and Green Vegetables

Active components: Vitamin A, beta-carotene
Benefits: Bright and smooth skin

Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing cell damage and premature aging. In the case of vitamin A, you also get anti-acne benefits.

Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide tons of vitamin A, too, which helps your skin produce more fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones

2. Nuts

Active component: Vitamin E
Benefits: Young and soft skin

Vitamin E combats skin-aging free radicals, especially protecting skin from sun damage due to UV-sunlight-generated free radicals. Vitamin E also tends to help skin hold in moisture, relieving dryness and making skin look younger.

Almonds, pistachios and walnuts also provide a nice supply of omega-3 fatty acids, another great skin nutrient.

1. Whole Grains

Active components: Rutin and B-vitamins
Benefits: Clear and moisturized skin

Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don't have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly.Replacing your refined-flour pancakes with buckwheat pancakes is a good acne-reducing move. Incidentally, this would also help reduce your risk of developing diabetes

Not into buckwheat? Avocadoes and mushrooms can provide similar benefits.

Now, while oranges, buckwheat, oysters, spinach and almonds are great foods for your skin, achieving great-looking skin through dietary changes doesn't have to be so specific. A healthy body means healthy skin. Just feed your body good, healthy foods, get some exercise and keep your stress low, and your skin will reap the benefits.