During winters we always welcome some extra food because it is too difficult to fight the temptation. But in summers, we eat only when we feel famished. Ever wondered why food does not entice us as much in summers? It is believed that our body does not feel the need for food to store extra energy in summers because there is enough light in the atmosphere.
We often end up skipping meals and the first signs its effects are seen on our skin. The key is in the intake of essential foods that help us maintain our health and keep the glow of our skin intact. Skin cells are highly prone to damage since our skin is the largest organ of our body that is exterior facing protecting against environmental threats, which needs foods that are hydrating and full of vitamins and nutrients.
Among All Food Groups Fruits Are the Best for Skin
How does one incorporate healthy foods without drastically changing eating habits, which we all know are difficult to overcome quickly? Fruits require little to no preparation and are readily available everywhere for on the go consumption. There should be no excuses for lacking fruits in your diet.
Below are some amazing fruits that you need to incorporate in your diet before the heat of summer takes a toll on your skin. This summer, protect your skin in a natural and healthy way. There are a lot of options from which to choose, so any one of them will fit into your daily meals easily.
Eating fruits is a sure way to stay healthy by nurturing the body from the inside and in the process achieve a younger looking skin. Most fruits are sweet tasting and contain numerous benefits to the body which include:
- Water
- Antioxidant properties
- Vitamins and nutrients. For example vitamin B, vitamin C, unsaturated (healthy fats), manganese, potassium amongst others.
Fruits are therefore vital for that firm supple looking skin, stronger nails, healthier hair, lower blood pressure, and a disease-free body.
Citrus Fruits Pack a Punch of Vitamin C
The fresh and heavenly fragrance of citrus fruits clearly says that there is no way they cannot help our body. They are a great source of amino acids and Vitamin C. They kill bacteria present on your skin and nourish your skin from within. Collagen is responsible for maintaining the elasticity in our skin, and Vitamin C is responsible for creating it in our body. So, consuming citrus fruits prevents aging and keeps your skin glossy and healthy. You can also use the peels of citrus fruits to exfoliate your skin and clean the clogged pores.
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Lime
Avoid citrus fruits if you have acid reflux or stomach ache issues.
Non-Citrus Fruits That Are Amazing for Your Skin
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Tomatoes are as healthy as they look. Lycopene in tomatoes helps produce collagen in our body which prevents skin aging and fights wrinkles. Lycopene is an antioxidant which acts as a natural sunscreen for your skin. Harmful UV rays cause skin reddening and tomatoes help to cure such skin burns. Tomatoes are acidic in nature and contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, which help in clearing your skin by reducing acne. You may also cut a tomato and apply it on your skin to reduce the size of pores. Doing this will not allow dirt to settle in the pores of your skin. During summer, our skin tends to get oily because of excess sweating. Tomatoes work as an oil-reducing agent and make your skin look fresh.
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Apples are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols that help the skin from early dullness and wrinkling. Apples also help prevent skin cancer by reducing UV (ultra-violet) radiation harmful effects and sunburns. (Just make sure to eat the peel as well as it is where much of the nutrients are concentrated)
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Avocadoes are an excellent source of healthy fats that help in the development and maintenance of healthy cells and skin. They contain Glutathione, an antioxidant that protects your skin collagen against the suns damaging effects. In addition, avocadoes contain potassium which helps maintain the water and acid balance in blood and tissues resulting in a younger looking skin.
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Papayas like oranges are a great source of vitamin C. They contain antioxidant benefits helping in regenerating the skin cells resulting in a younger-looking skin.T hey have a high fiber content helping in digestion and toxins removal through a bowel movement.
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Strawberries like apples contain polyphenols, an antioxidant and vitamin C that helps improve the elasticity and skin firmness.
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Blueberries have many health benefits some of which include antioxidant properties to protect against sun damage. They are rich in vitamin C (one cup of blueberries contains about 24% of recommended daily intake) for collagen production.
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Pineapples are rich in potassium and vitamin C which also helps in collagen production for a firm and younger looking skin. More so it contains an enzyme, bromelain which has which helps muscles relax and therefore recommended for women with painful menstruation.
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Kiwis are nutritious and loaded with vitamin C and E for healthy and smooth skin. Research has shown that eating the kiwi peel (skin) increases vitamin C and fiber content up to 50%.
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Bananas are loaded with potassium (one banana contains about 12% of the recommended daily potassium intake) which keeps the skin hydrated, moisturized and firm. In addition, bananas are rich in fiber helping in bowel movement regulation and removal of toxins from the body resulting in a beautiful younger looking skin.
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Coconut Water is the best alternative that gives your body the required amount of electrolyte. In summers, we often turn to liquids that are extremely loaded with sugar to keep the body hydrated, which in turn has adverse effects on our body. So, to keep the body hydrated, drink coconut water. Potassium in coconut water maintains the flow of oxygen and nutrients in our body by improving the blood circulation. This results in soft and supple skin. The splurge of popularity that coconut water has pocketed is because of its many benefits, topped with an amazing taste. It is a natural skin toner and fights acne. It prevents heat strokes and results in glowing skin.
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Cucumbers are 96 percent of water; hence consuming enough cucumbers result in replenishing the skin. If you have certain skin issues and your skin feels burnt from the harmful sun rays, then cucumber will come to the rescue. It contains nutrients like Vitamins A, B1 and C, biotin, and potassium. It is a major detoxifying agent which cleanses your skin, making it a beauty enhancer.
- Watermelons are 92 percent water. In addition to hydrating the skin, they contain a natural substance that helps to shrink body tissues, hence are a natural toner that can help reduce pore size. This is believed to help with acne because the amount of oil that your sebaceous glands secrete constricted as well. Furthermore, watermelons are full of antioxidants such as lycopene and also contain vitamin C and A that can encourage the growth of collagen and elastin cells, helping the skin stay young.
Many of us rely on chemicals and face products to get younger and better-looking skin. But it is time that we know that these chemicals end up affecting our skin even more. Nature has blessed us with plenty of fruits that are rich in natural nutrients, and it is always recommended to use them over high chemical based products. Protecting your skin with sunscreen and other lotions is important but it is not safe to rely on them completely. So choose these natural fruit nutrients and nourish your skin health.
Make sure to include other healthier habits such as drinking 8 glasses of water daily, regular exercise, eliminate tobacco smoking, enough sleep and stress management. In addition, include a balanced diet for your overall health benefit.