A diet full of antioxidants is not only going to keep you healthy but is also going to be great for your skin! Just imagine have an internal skin care regime? Isn’t it so much better than whatever we enhance externally?
The main dietary sources of antioxidant are
- Vitamin A – from carrots, eggs, milk, sweet potatoes, etc.
- Vitamin C – veggies and fresh fruits
- Vitamin E – from vegetable oils, mangoes, broccoli, nuts, etc.
- Polyphenolic antioxidants – coffee, tea, olive oil, chocolate, red wine, cinnamon, etc.
- Carotenoids – fresh fruits, veggies, eggs, etc.
Let us go through some of the best antioxidants, which are both healthy and tasty!
Berries
Berries are one of the highest provides of antioxidants. You can incorporate them into smoothies and fruit salads, and add a daily dose for your skin. Take a box and add organic frozen berries. Store them in the fridge and pop them from time to time. You can also add them in yogurt. Choose strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. according to preference and availability.
Pomegranate
This is a nice antioxidant and used as an anti-aging element in various products. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and includes more antioxidants than what you’d get through red wine or blue berries!
Green tea
It does contain caffeine which is why you can avoid it if you want to. On the other hand, it in rich in antioxidants called catechin polyphenols. With one cup of green tea you get 10 to 40 mg of the polyphenols and it is better than a serving of broccoli, carrots or strawberries.
Apples
Red apple provides the highest amount of antioxidants compared to other shades of the fruit. Their polyphenol content is 5 times more than the flesh or skin of the fruit. This is one good reason to have the full fruit and not get it peeled!
Yogurt
Tasty, healthy and filling breakfast good which can be added with fruits and berries. You can also have it like a dessert or make smoothies with it. Though it isn’t an antioxidant it complements elements which work like it. Start your day healthily with the goodness of vitamin B and riboflavin content!
Garlic
Garlic is one culinary ingredient we cannot do without. With every clove of garlic you get vitamins of A, B and C, along with iodine, calcium, zinc, potassium, iron, selenium and magnesium. Apart from being an amazing antioxidant it is also known to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol level. Help your body get rid of metals, and add this ingredient for its antifungal and antiviral properties too.
Broccoli and sweet potato
These two are richest in antioxidants and are really yum! Broccoli has vitamin C and calcium, while sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene. Don’t overcook the ingredients if you specifically want the goodness of antioxidants. They tend to lessen due to overcooking. You can have these lightly steamed together. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, salt and some chopped garlic for a great doze of antioxidants!
Tomatoes
It is one of the most versatile ingredients. It is also rich in lycopene – the strongest antioxidant! Lycopene needs fat for absorption which is why complimenting tomatoes with olive oil will improve the level of this antioxidant. You are only recommended to purchase spray-free and organic tomatoes. The regular and sprayed ones will not leave significant results.
Red wine
Alcohol dehydrates our body and has quite a few health effects. If you are willing to sip through some tasty red wine, you would get the goodness of antioxidants.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolates increase the level of antioxidants though it is not same for milk chocolate. You might also cancel out the benefits while if you have milk along with dark chocolates.
How do antioxidants help skin care?
Anti-inflammation
Probably the most desirable use of antioxidants for skin is due to its calming properties. It happens to reduce inflammation and improves cell metabolism. It is also known to fight the free radicals and increase blood circulation. When you reduce the possibilities of inflammation you enhance the texture of your skin tone. It keeps your looking younger and toned.
Firming
One more benefit which is directly received due to added antioxidants in our body is to have firmer skin tone. Antioxidants can reverse ageing process and improve skin health. It works like an internal rejuvenating element which reflects in your appearance.
Reduced wrinkles
Once you start having wrinkles it is difficult to diminish them. The trick is to take ageing precautions so that you have more to prevent and less to cure. Having food rich on antioxidants will help you fight the natural ageing process and make your skin look youthful. Most antioxidants that have been mentioned above are directly related to fight wrinkles and fine line. They contain vitamins of C and E which are useful to fight the disturbing lines of ageing.
Treats scars
After making your skin look younger and healthier, antioxidants works like self caring elements. They are known to work on scarred tissues which have different cell structures and need repair. There are numerous antioxidants, for example, onion and aloe are known to improve blood flow to the scarred tissue and reduce the appearance of the scar.
Repairs sun damage
We all know that sun exposure is one of the worst things we do our skin, and we have less options to get away from it. Sun dries and damages our cells and makes our appearance dull. Consuming antioxidants would help you improve blood flow and encourage the growth of new cells.
