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Top 10 Foods Essential to Look Good Naked
What you put into your mouth and body, directly affects your physical appearance.
If you are predominantly fast food and junk eater, you are bound to put on weight and
your skin will probably reflect the amount of grease and saturated fats you
have been consuming. The key to looking well is eating well.
Here are top 10 foods to help you look great naked
Coconut oil: is made
up of medium chain fatty acids, and is a great source of energy as well as fat
loss. A teaspoon will quell the sugar
cravings right away, and it’s
also fab for cooking! Coconut oil is known to help reduce scaring, stretch
marks and prevent sagging
skin. It’s a natural “miracle” cream! Studies have shown that coconut oil’s
fatty acids are actually 15 times better at this than benzoyl peroxide.
Fish: Salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and rainbow
trout all contain omega–3
fats, which help fortify skin cell membranes, protect against sun
damage, and may also reduce the risk of certain forms of skin
cancer. Having salmon on hand is the best way to ensure you'll keep up
your skin's nutritious regimen.
Frozen Organic Vegetables: frozen veg are snap frozen, retaining
nutrition. Scientists from Leatherhead Food Research and University of
Chester, carried out 40 tests to measure nutrient levels in produce that had
been sitting in a fridge for three days, compared to frozen equivalents.
They found more beneficial nutrients overall in the frozen samples, in
everything from broccoli to blueberries. Frozen vegetables contain powerful
antioxidants that help to protect skin from the cellular damage caused by
free radicals. Free radicals can cause wrinkling and age
spots. Eat a rainbow of colourful vegetables and aim for at least
three-five portions a day. Betacarotene, found in pumpkin, carrots and sweet
potatoes, and lutein, found in kale and spinach are potent antioxidants,
important for normal skin cell development and healthy
skin tone.
Greek organic yoghurt: Greek yoghurt is healthy as it is high in probiotics;
good bacteria. The live microorganisms in Greek yogurt can help improve your
digestive system, help your body absorb nutrients and improve your immune
health. Greek yogurt may also help ease gastrointestinal conditions like
constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance and diarrhea.
For best results, consume at least one serving of probiotic-rich foods like
Greek yogurt every day.
Dark chocolate: Flavonols, the antioxidants found in dark
chocolate, reduce roughness in the skin and provide sun protection. In a
study (the Journal of Nutrition) women who drank cocoa fortified with a
chocolate bar's worth of flavonols had better skin texture and stronger
resistance to UV rays than those who drank significantly few flavonols.
Red wine: There is a much higher concentration of antioxidants
called polyphenols, including resveratrol, in wine compared
to grape juice. In wine, the skin and seeds are part of the fermenting
process, which are absent in grape juice. Resveratrol, found in grape skins
and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol and prevent blood clotting. Flavonoids
(polyphenols), on the other hand, exhibit antioxidant properties helping
prevent blood clots and plaques formation in arteries.
Avocado: It is rich in healthy fatty acids, vitamins and
antioxidants that can improve your skin from the inside. Avocado
contains good amounts of vitamin C for healthy
skin. We should ideally have many sources of vitamin C in our diet
every day as it is water soluble and cannot be stored in your body.
Frozen berries: add them to the yoghurt or your protein shake.
After freezing blueberries at temperatures of 0°F (-17°C) or lower for
periods of time between 3-6 months, researchers have discovered no
significant lowering of overall antioxidant capacity or anthocyanin
concentrations. Blueberries are
beneficial to the whole body. There is new evidence that damage to muscles
following overly taxing exercise can be reduced through consumption of
blueberries. There is also evidence that protection of the nervous system
from oxidative stress can be accomplished by regular consumption of
blueberries.
Nuts and seeds: Avoid peanuts as they are legumes not nuts. Slow
down the development of saggy, wrinkled
skin by spooning sunflower
seeds and flax
seeds over salad or yogurt.
These seeds are replete with vitamin E -- a powerful antioxidant that
decelerates the aging of
skin cells, keeping us looking younger longer. Almonds are stuffed with
vitamin E, which helps defend against sun damage.
Water: It's not a "food," I se, but water is crucial when it
comes to skin health because it flushes toxins out of your body, delivers
nutrients to your cells, and keeps your organs functioning. It also helps
keep your cells plump and full, which makes your skin look firmer and
clearer.
Keep these foods ready and enjoy without worrying about what to eat on those
days when you just can’t be bothered!
Dated 29 May 2014
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