If you are looking to support the health of your skin, joints, and hair, you will need collagen. Many people purchase collagen powders or supplements and add them to their teas, coffees, smoothies, and more. Although collagen products are incredibly popular, most people are unaware of what collagen does and how they can preserve it. 

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in animals. A structural protein makes up the structure or framework of both cells and tissues. There are 28 types of collagen, but type 1 collagen accounts for nearly 90% of all collagen in the human body. Collagen is mostly composed of the amino acids proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids form strands that make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen.

The body naturally produces collagen, but collagen production starts to decline some time during your twenties at a rate of about 1% per year. UV exposure, inflammatory diets, lack of sleep, harsh products, and stress can exacerbate this decline. For this reason, many dermatologists encourage a skin care routine that helps preserve collagen. Use vitamin C serum, experiment with retinol if the skin can tolerate it, and wear sunscreen if you go outside. 

Although there are things you can do to help protect collagen, one of the best ways to care for it is through a healthy diet. The food you eat can influence collagen production. Certain foods, especially those with antioxidants, can help protect the skin from free radicals and support the skin barrier. Continue reading to learn about five antioxidants that help keep the skin firm.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid phytonutrient and powerful antioxidant that has demonstrated an ability to protect skin cells. Other studies confirm that astaxanthin can help preserve the collagen layer because it has impressive photo protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers note that astaxanthin’s free radical fighting powers are five times more powerful than beta-carotene. It’s about 6,000 times more potent than vitamin C! Although vitamin C, which we will get to next, is a powerful antioxidant, it should not be the only one you rely on to encourage collagen production.

Vitamin C

You cannot talk about the skin without having vitamin C in the conversation. Vitamin C is a cofactor in the collagen production process. The skin’s fibroblasts rely on vitamin C to synthesize collagen. According to many studies, fibroblasts cannot effectively make collagen when vitamin C levels are low. Vitamin C works to stabilize the collagen molecule and preserve existing collagen by neutralizing free radicals. For this reason, researchers believe that ingesting vitamin C is the best way to support overall skin health. 

Blood Orange Extract

Blood orange is not in season all year, but it’s very popular during the winter months. What is even more popular, especially in the world of skin care, is blood orange extract. It contains numerous antioxidants, including anthocyanins and flavanones, vitamin C, and hydroxycinnamic acids, which are non-flavonoid phenols. That means that you get all of the benefits of those compounds in one extract. Due to the antioxidant power of blood orange extract, it helps reduce oxidative stress, which causes collagen breakdown. A 100-milligram dose of blood orange extract is effective at reducing proinflammatory levels of cytokine TNF-a in the body. Additionally, one study found that it was able to improve skin elasticity by 5.9% in just 14 days, and 13.9% in 56 days. 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an oil-soluble antioxidant that helps support vitamin C inside the body. Vitamins C and E have a synergistic relationship, with one study confirming that vitamin E increased vitamin C’s efficacy eightfold. On top of that, vitamin C regenerates vitamin E after vitamin E scavenges for free radicals in the body. Finally, vitamin E can help protect against collagen cross-linking, a process during which collagen becomes hard and stiff. That process can cause the skin to appear hard and stiff, and it contributes to accelerated aging. 

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are plant compounds that are types of antioxidants commonly found in fruits and vegetables. According to research, polyphenols can help boost digestion, improve brain function, and protect against several chronic diseases. Additionally, polyphenols have proven effective at helping the skin manage UV exposure. That is particularly important because UV damage is one of the leading causes of collagen breakdown. Although sunscreen is the most effective way to protect the skin, eating more foods rich in polyphenols will help that process.

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Yes, smoothies are healthy, fun, delicious, and quite colorful, especially this recipe. This smoothie looks more like a drink you’d order while lounging by the pool on vacation more than a healthy, immune boosting smoothie. Not only is this drink visually stunning, but it also provides a long list of nutrients, many of which optimize immune function. Plus, this smoothie aims to use some fall and winter produce items, such as blood oranges and beets.

The real kickers in this smoothie are the cayenne, raw ginger, and turmeric. These three ingredients exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties. Sounds like everything you need to make it out of cold and flu season unscathed, right? While this smoothie may not be the magic shield that blocks all viruses and bacteria, it does provide nutrients that help boost the immune system. Beets, oranges, lemons, mangos, and raspberries offer an assortment of nutrients, including vitamins A & C, antioxidants, fiber, folate, nitrites, beta-carotene, and polyphenols.

Unlike other smoothies, you have to blend this smoothie in two batches. Firstly, you blend the yellow ingredients, pour the mixture into two glasses, and then rinse the blender out. Add the remaining red ingredients to the clean blender and blend until smooth. Pour that mixture into the glasses and you will see a tie die concoction in your smoothie glasses. If you start your day off with a cup of this smoothie, your immune system will thank you. Plus, you get to feel like a bartender at a fancy resort blended up something special for you when you look at it!

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We truly love fall and winter! It is a magical time of year when stress levels are high because of family gatherings, end-of-the-year projects, and the inevitable gift-buying craze. Well, that’s not really why we love this time of year, although, we do believe that you can easily work through these things with the right mindset. The reason we love this time of year is because of the impressive seasonal produce items that arrive in grocery stores. We’re talking about blood oranges, cranberries, butternut squash, leeks, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and more!

This salad has quite the long list of nutrients, let alone flavors. It is colorful, textural, and highly addictive. Because of the use of kale, broccoli, and radicchio, it can last a lot longer than another salad that uses romaine or green leaf lettuce. The ingredients we mentioned are sturdier and hold up when dressed. This salad is especially rich in vitamin C, which gives your immune system a helping hand during cold and flu season.

You can enjoy oranges year round, but blood oranges are a special seasonal treat. They are visually stunning and offer a unique flavor that differs from your standard orange. Their subtle acidity pairs beautifully with the refreshing cherry tomatoes and sweet mandarins. The various fruits balance the more bitter kale, peppery radicchio, and broccoli. Speaking of broccoli, you don’t have to include big florets in your salad. You can chop it up so that eating it raw is easier and less crunchy.

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Citrus fruits are some of the most popular fruits used in the culinary world. The powerful acidity is what people crave. It often rounds out the flavor of sauces, salsas, marinades, juices, and more. The reason people fall in love with citrus fruits is because they hit three of the primary flavor profiles: bitter, sweet, and sour. 

People love citrus fruits for their flavor, but they should love them for their incredible nutritional profiles. The diverse flavonoid and antioxidant compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-boosting properties. Additionally, the vitamin C in citrus fruits works to neutralize free radicals in the body, lowering the threat of oxidative damage. They are also rich in potassium, a mineral that the body needs for carbohydrate metabolism, heart contraction, and nerve function. 

There are too many citrus fruits to count, and that’s why we’ve decided to bring you the zest of the best. Keep reading to find out which citrus varieties rose to the top. Well, they topped our list, anyway!

Meyer Lemon

These may be the best lemons on the planet, primarily because they are slightly sour with wonderfully sweet undertones. If you want to make homemade lemonade, the Meyer lemon should be your first choice. It is a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, and it rose to popularity in the culinary world because of Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, and other chefs of that caliber. 

Pomelo

This citrus fruit has too many names to count, so we’ll just stick with pomelo. It’s one of the only three original citrus species left; all of the other varieties have been hybridized. The white pomelo has a thick pith and a sweet pink/white flesh. They are very popular in Asia during the Mooncake festival. 

Sumo Tangerine

These enormous tangerines are enormously delicious. It’s not the most attractive citrus fruit, but ugly foods are often the most delicious. It’s like an easy-to-peel mandarin, but supersized and more flavorful. Sumo tangerines are new to the United States, and people are loving them. The flavor is bold, with sweet and tart flavors that keep you coming back for more. They do cost more than the average citrus fruit, but they come from Japan, so the price makes sense. 

Blood Orange

The striking red/orange flesh of the fruit looks like a wheel of tie-dye art. The blood orange is mildly tart and beautifully sweet, and the rich pigment comes from the powerful polyphenols known as anthocyanins. You can’t always get your hands on these citrus gems, so make sure to snatch them up when you see them.

Key Lime

Almost everyone has heard of key lime pie, but these small limes are not solely reserved for baking. Many people prefer key limes to regular limes because they have a stronger alkalizing effect on the body. Key limes have a subtly sweet flavor and the juice is more floral and aromatic than that of regular lime juice. 

Kumquat

These little citrus fruits are entirely edible. That’s right, folks; you can eat pop the whole thing in your mouth and enjoy the beautiful combination of the sweet skin and tart flesh. You won’t always find them in stores, but they can pop up at local farmer’s markets. Kumquat trees are also popular in many neighborhoods, so keep your eyes peeled, especially from November to March when they’re in season.

Finger Lime

The finger lime is different from most other citrus fruits, and it gets the name because it is long, just like a finger. The flesh also differs from other citrus fruit. It looks like little gelatin balls, vesicles as they are called. You can think of it like lime caviar that you can turn into a rich marmalade or add to pickling jars. You can also zest the peel for strong notes of citrus in your culinary creations.

Buddha’s Hand

This abnormal, alien-looking fruit belongs to the citrus family, but it’s definitely in a league of its own. The “fingers” open up as the fruit ripens, but you can’t really enjoy the fruit. The only usable part of this fruit is the zest because there is no flesh. Buddha’s hand has a wonderful fragrance and it is often placed as a prayer offering at pagodas or altars in Asian countries. 

Tangelo

This funky little citrus hybrid is a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine, so the flavor is both tart and sweet. Sink your teeth into this fruit and you get hit with an immediate burst of sweetness, and the tart flavor hits you on the back nine. They are easy to peel and make great substitutes for oranges. 

Calamansi

Calamansi is a classic citrus fruit in both Malaysian and Filipino cuisine. The peel is green and the flesh is a bright orange, but don’t let it fool you into thinking that it is sweet. It’s only a touch sweeter than a regular lime, but it does impart unique flavor into your food. If you want to make a homemade sorbet, fresh calamansi juice is an excellent juice to use. 

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Sip your way into a world of vibrance with our blood orange sherbet smoothie that bursts with tropical, sweet, and tart flavors. This delightful smoothie contains three simple ingredients: fresh raspberries, papaya, and freshly squeezed blood orange juice. You will need about five blood oranges to get the right amount of juice for this smoothie. The blood orange juice offers a wonderful tartness with a sweet undertone that makes you feel like you’re sipping a tropical beverage on a tranquil beach.

Although you won’t eat the blood oranges, take a second to appreciate their beauty before you juice them. Their flesh resembles a tie dye tapestry of oranges and reds. It is truly a beautiful fruit that tastes just as good as it looks. Blood oranges exhibit an exquisite tanginess that goes hand in hand with the fresh raspberries. Needless to say, this smoothie is replete with antioxidant compounds and lots of vitamin C.

Sure, the raspberries and blood orange juice provide lots of vitamin C, but let’s not forget about the mighty papaya. This fruit is naturally rich in fiber, vitamin A, and papain, a digestive enzyme that helps break down the protein you eat. Make sure to cube your papaya, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze overnight the day before you make this smoothie. Frozen papaya will give this smoothie a creaminess that you wouldn’t get if you used fresh fruit and ice. Trust us when we tell you that this is the way to go!

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Blood oranges are particularly rich in vitamins A & C, which work to encourage healthy immune function and improve the appearance of your skin. The omega-3s in avocados may regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Finally, the greens are naturally rich in iron, magnesium, folate, and vitamin K, making this salad a true nutrient-dense heart-healthy salad recipe!

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One of the best parts of winter (yes, you can view this cold season in a positive light) is the abundance of citrus fruits. You can choose from lemon varieties, limes, mandarins, tangerines, and oranges. Of these zesty citrus varieties, one of the standout, and perhaps most striking, fruit is the beautiful blood orange.

Exhibiting a rich red and orange flesh that resembles a tie dye wheel, blood oranges are a type of citrus fruit with a tart, sweet flavor. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, and can add a unique and vibrant flavor to smoothies. This smoothie recipe combines blood oranges with other nutritious ingredients, including spinach, pineapple, banana, and freshly squeezed lime juice for a zesty zing. The combination of the blood orange and lime juices create a uniquely refreshing beverage. The addition of chia seeds (which is completely optional) provides an extra boost of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which can support digestive and heart health.

The great thing about this smoothie is that it helps you embrace an amazing seasonal ingredient. Enjoy it as a nutritious breakfast, an afternoon snack, or post-workout refuel. You can also customize the recipe by adding other ingredients such as raw vegan nut butter or frozen berries. Just know that this may alter the taste of the recipe below. We hop you love it!

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When you pass by blood oranges in the grocery store during the winter, it is very difficult to resist them. They exhibit a vibrant ruby flesh and a surprisingly sweet flavor. Many food manufacturers use them to flavor everything from sparking water and beer to salad dressings. This recipe uses the blood orange in two ways: freshly sliced in the salad and whisked into an oil-free vinaigrette.

The peppery arugula and mild spinach are the perfect backdrop for the zesty citrus slices that go into the salad. Plus, the creamy avocado not only provides another layer of texture, but also a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and potassium. When you slice the avocado, try your best to slice them thinly lengthwise, as opposed to cubing them. The long slivers of avocado are perfect when you stab your salad, because you get a sliver of avocado with a slice of orange and greens. That is the perfect bite!

What makes this winter blood orange salad healthy? Can we say everything? Because that is the real truth. Blood oranges are particularly rich in vitamins A & C, which work to encourage healthy immune function and improve the appearance of your skin. The omega-3s in avocados may regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Finally, the greens are naturally rich in iron, magnesium, folate, and vitamin K, making this salad a true nutrient-dense recipe!

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Get your hands on beautiful blood oranges before they are out of season! Not only are their vibrant colors mesmerizing, but their flavor is wonderfully bright and refreshing. If you choose the right ones, blood oranges offer a unique sweetness that helps balance the inherent citrusy tang. When shopping for blood oranges, and all citrus fruits for that matter, look for the heaviest fruits. They are always the juiciest, which is especially important when you’re making a vinaigrette.

The red flesh you see in a blood orange is attributed to the anthocyanin and carotenoid levels. Both anthocyanins and carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that offer anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Some studies even found that they exhibit neuroprotective properties. That means that not only are blood oranges delicious, but they are also extremely beneficial for your health. These pigments start to accumulate in the vesicles at the edges of blood orange segments. They continue to accumulate in cold storage post-harvest. Because blood oranges contain strong pigments, they actually contain more antioxidants than regular oranges.

For this dressing, the only thing you need to know is that it’s incredibly tasty. Because of the slightly sweet and tart flavor profile, pair this dressing with assertive leafy greens like arugula or kale. This will also go great over spring mixed greens, which tend to be slightly more bitter in taste than romaine lettuce, for example. Other ingredients like watercress, red onion, raw pistachios, and alfalfa sprouts also complement the blood orange vinaigrette.

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Embrace the flavors of fall and winter in this colorful salad. The blood oranges possess a sweet yet tart flavor, which plays well with the subtle licorice-like fennel and assertive red onion. Radicchio is the perfect base for this salad, and that’s not just because it fits the color scheme. Chefs classically pair radicchio with citrus because the slight pepperiness can handle the powerful citrus.

If you feel like getting fancy, you can segment the citrus so that they are all uniform. On the other hand, you can slice them into wheels or chop them up if that’s easier. However you cut your ingredients, this salad is bound to be delicious.

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