The Six Foods (and One Drink) You Need to Keep Skin Healthy this Winter
Registered Dietician
| 2 min read
The dry and chilly air that blankets Michigan this time of year can make your skin look less-than-healthy. But it’s not enough just to slather it with oils, lotions and beauty products—you also need to keep it hydrated from the inside out. Add these seven things to your diet and you’ll do just that:
- A big glass of water: It seems obvious, but to keep skin naturally moisturized, you’re going to have to drink plenty of H2O. Picture a raisin, which is a grape that’s been dehydrated. That’s what happens to your skin without enough water. To keep yourself on track with drinking water more frequently, try tips like drinking a glass after every bathroom break or finishing one before every meal.
- Salmon and other fatty fish: The omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon and tuna help moisturize the skin. You can get similar results by eating other foods high in heart-healthy fats, like avocado and olive oil.
- Carrots and sweet potatoes: Orange vegetables are high in vitamin A, which encourages healthy skin production and keeps the deep layers of the skin firm and smooth. Dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach are also good sources of vitamin A.
- Citrus fruit: The ascorbic acid in vitamin C helps your body produce collagen—a key component of skin that keeps it looking renewed, healthy and fresh.
- Tea and dark chocolate: These are high in antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body and keep skin glowing (they also fight signs of aging like wrinkles and sun spots). You’ll also find lots of antioxidants in colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Tomatoes: They are a great source of lycopene, which nourishes the skin. Better yet, tomato products such as salsa, tomato sauce, and ketchup have even more lycopene because they use a large amount of tomatoes.
- Blackberries and Blueberries: These berries are great sources of polyphenols, which fight inflammation and boost blood flow to the skin. Other foods high in polyphenols include blackcurrants, cinnamon, and black coffee, to name a few.
Tell us which foods and remedies help your skin in the comments below! And consider subscribing to our newsletter, which gives health and wellness tips (like these) to help you live your healthiest life! Just click here to subscribe: http://miblues.co/2m4MlLK.
Photo credit: maira.gall
