It is a well-known fact that beauty comes from within. No matter how much make-up people use or how much is spent on cosmetic products to enhance, hide, minimise or maximise, it is essentially what is consumed by our bodies that makes us look how we do over time. The following foods are of particular note when it comes to appearances.
Meat, Cheese and Lentils (Protein)
It may take 10 pounds of milk to make a pound of cheese, but fortunately you don’t need to eat that much dairy or protein to repair your cells. During the aging process, hair and skin cells become damaged, making you appear older. The protein in meat, chicken, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese and certain vegetables promotes cell growth and repair, which translates into younger-looking skin, fewer wrinkles, less hair loss and a glossy mane. If you are vegetarian or vegan, opt for lentils and soybeans instead (they contain more protein than any other vegetable).
Sea Vegetables
Polluted cells can’t function at their optimum level. When cells are functioning well, not only do people have more energy - they look and feel great! Sea vegetables such as spirulina, hijiki, kelp, arame, wakame and dulse, are one of the richest sources of minerals and phytochemicals. These help detoxify, rebuild and nourish all the cells in our bodies. Unhealthy processed foods, stress and environmental pollutants cause cells to age prematurely, potentially leading to thinning hair and premature wrinkles. Eating sea vegetables is one way to reverse this process.
Crunchy Vegetables
Fresh raw vegetables are as good for your grin as they are for your skin! Celery, carrots, string beans and cauliflower all contain cellulose, which helps scrub stains from your teeth – giving you a whiter, brighter smile. Both the cellulose and the (other) fibre in these foods act a abrasives that clean and remove bacteria from teeth. Crunchy vegetables are especially effective for recent discolouration e.g. after drinking red wine or coffee.
Oregano, Thyme and Parsley
If you have puffy bags under your eyes in the morning, you are almost certainly consuming more salt than you need. Another problem is alcohol; it dehydrates you and can make your skin sag. The two in combination is the worst cause of puffy dark circles under the eyes. A good recommendation is reducing your sodium (salt) intake to eliminate bloating. Instead of salt, season your meals with herbs and spices such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic. Another advantage is that these herbs and spices have healing properties all of their own which you can read about in future articles.
Dandelion, Turnip and Mustard greens
Foods that keep the liver cleansed of toxins, heavy metals and fats make our whole body function more efficiently. This makes us feel better, which affects how we look. A healthy liver also brightens eyes and tightens skin. Eating slightly bitter dense green foods such as broccoli, spinach and arugula, as well as turnip, mustard and dandelion greens has been shown to lessen your sweet tooth. Simple and refined sugars, high-glycemic carbohydrates and refined manufactured foods have an aging effect on the body. Excess sugar has been linked to a process called glycation, in which sugar molecules bond to protein molecules. This is a cause of saggy, wrinkled skin.
Shellfish, Sunflower Seeds and Sardines
These foods may not taste great together but individually they offer a powerhouse of essential fatty acids. Fatty acids nourish the skin, help maintain skin integrity and keep skin cells performing optimally. Essential fatty acids, a component of all cell membranes in the body, regulate the flow of nutrients, waste materials and water in and out of cells, which helps keep you looking young. Flax seeds, tuna, walnuts, canola oil, soybean oil and pumpkin seeds are more good sources of essential fatty acids.
Blood Oranges, Cherries and Blueberries
Collagen is a natural protein in your skin and muscles that provides resiliency, shape and texture. Unfortunately, collagen production decreases with age but you can fight back with dark fruit. Blood oranges, cherries and blueberries are full of antioxidants, which decrease aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier. The severity of rosacea has also been shown to decrease with antioxidants. Blackberries, raspberries, plums, pomegranates, cranberries, asian dragon fruit and kiwis also contain antioxidants.
Sources
Beauty Fitness Food for Anti Ageing Nutrition
Beauty and Raw Food
Beauty Food: Achieve Radiance with Simple, Flavorful Foods,Dagmar Von Cramm, 2000.
ISBN: 1930603207, 9781930603202.
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