You cannot turn back the clock and fully regenerate the beautifully smooth skin from your youth. There are, however, actions you can take to protect, nourish, and keep the skin looking young and healthy as you age. One of the easiest ways to control the appearance of your skin is through your diet, specifically anti-aging superfoods.
The word “superfood” gets thrown around a lot, but what exactly does it mean? A superfood provides more nutrients than the average healthy diet. Popular superfoods include kale, spirulina, sweet potatoes, turmeric, and blueberries, in addition to many more. The reason that superfoods matter is because they help to fight free radicals, which are molecules that have an unpaired electron. Without antioxidants from superfoods to combat free radicals, your risk of cell damage, inflammation, aging, and cancer increases.
Free radicals are the bad guys and antioxidants are the good guys you need to save the day. When choosing foods that will nourish the skin and fight the aging process, select the ones that offer high antioxidant activity. Not only do these foods help to keep the skin younger, but they also have a positive effect on the rest of the body. Let’s take a closer look at these anti-aging superfoods and how they benefit your skin.
Olive Oil
Great for your heart, olive oil is a staple food in the Mediterranean Diet. Not only is olive oil a great source of monounsaturated fat, but it also provides a high amount of procyanidins and polyphenols, which work to fight skin damage. Olive oil also contains vitamin E, which helps combat environmental or sun damage to the skin. The fatty acids and antioxidants in olive oil contain anti-inflammatory substances that may also fight against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and more.
Oatmeal
No, we are not referring to the little packages of oatmeal that contain processed ingredients and added sugars. Oats are considered to be a superfood because they contain beta-glucans, which work to fight early signs of aging, such as wrinkles. Oats also contain vitamin E, phytic acid, phenolic compounds, avenanthramides, and other antioxidant substances. Although you may not be able to pronounce those words, they do incredible work for your skin, heart, and cells. Opt for steel cut oats or rolled oats to get the most nutritional bang for your buck.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the secret anti-aging superfoods hiding in plain sight. Their rich beta-carotene content is vital for optimal skin health. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which helps the skin heal faster and triggers the production of healthy cells, ultimately reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Tomatoes also contain other nutrients that support overall health, and they are lycopene, lutein, choline, alpha-lipoic acid, and folate.
Leafy Greens
Some leafy greens have more super powers than others. Spinach, kale, collard greens, and card are excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and E, in addition to magnesium, fiber, iron, and protein. One cup of kale contains more calcium than a cup of milk, and also offers vitamins A & C, both of which aid skin elasticity. Other leafy greens of note include watercress, arugula, leaf lettuce, and Swiss chard.
Green Tea
Green tea offers many health benefits because it exhibits potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant that fights wrinkles by reducing damaging free radicals on the skin’s outermost layer. You can drink green tea or take a dietary supplement. You can even use green tea topically, as it is a common ingredient in many anti-aging skin care products.
Pomegranates
Not only are pomegranates great for the immune system, but they also benefit the skin in several ways. Pomegranates contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that works to slow down the aging process and helps prevent skin cancer. Researchers attribute the strong antioxidant properties to the tannins (punicalagins), which are polyphenolic compounds. These water-soluble compounds are bioavailable and the body can easily absorb them.
Nuts
Different nuts offer different nutritional profiles, but researchers agree that walnuts and almonds are great choices. Walnuts offer omega-3 fatty acids, which can help people with dry skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis. They are also rich in other nutrients that optimize digestion, support weight control, and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Almonds contain vitamin E, phytosterols, and monounsaturated oleic acid, all of which work together to protect the skin from free radicals. Don’t go nuts on nuts, though, as a handful of either walnuts or almonds will be a sufficient and filling snack.
