When it comes to protecting your body’s largest organ, it’s what’s inside that counts. Sure, your skin is the outside layer responsible for protecting you from the outside world and holding you all together. But what shows on the outside comes from within.
Skin serums and moisturizers surely have benefits for keeping skin strong, supple, and hydrated. But anti-aging goes much further than topical creams. Eating a healthy diet and making certain lifestyle adjustments can promote healthy skin, keeping you looking your best for as long as possible.
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Skin aging occurs deep inside at the cellular level. The best way to fight back against cellular degradation is by eating a nutrient-rich diet. Certain foods that can give an extra boost to the appearance and strength of skin include mangoes and tomatoes. Research has shown mangoes contain antioxidants that help protect various parts of the skin, including collagen. Tomatoes may help protect skin against sun damage and skin cancer.
Green tea is another source of nutrition associated with healthy skin. Polyphenols in green tea are associated with skin cell rejuvenation, hydration, and reduced skin inflammation.
Flavanol antioxidant compounds found in dark chocolate might decrease roughness on the skin, promote hydration, and limit the impact of UV damage.
Healthy fats like monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats can also promote hydrated and healthy skin. Fish, avocado, and nuts are all great sources of nutrition to build healthy, young-looking skin. And of course, the best way to keep skin hydrated is to drink about eight glasses of water per day.
As much as eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can be good for your skin, avoiding other foods is useful too. Processed high-sugar foods can lead to inflammation and possibly promote aging skin, as can alcohol consumption. In fact, there is research to suggest alcohol consumption can increase the risk for basal cell carcinoma, which is another way it can promote unhealthy skin.
Skin serums and moisturizers are useful in promoting healthy and hydrated skin, but they only aid the outer layer. Set your sights a little deeper to focus on giving your skin the best foundation.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
