It’s not just anti-ageing creams and super serums that keep us looking young: Certain foods can also make our skin appear plumper and younger in the long term. Find out here which 10 foods are said to have an anti-ageing effect.
If you eat healthily, your largest organ will thank you for it: your skin. It reflects our good habits, but also many bad ones. If you get enough important vitamins and minerals, you will be rewarded with plump skin and a radiant complexion – beauty comes from within.We’ll tell you which foods you should include in your diet more often from now on.
1. turmeric
Most people are familiar with turmeric from the kitchen, because it is the substance that gives curry its typical yellow color. In fact, the so-called “magic bulb” is also said to have a healing effect. Turmeric contains antioxidant substances that protect our organism from free radicals. So add the spice to your food more often from now on.
As an ingredient in cosmetic products for the face, turmeric is said to reduce the formation of wrinkles and promote cell renewal. In addition, the yellow-orange root is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect and is therefore also recommended for external use against skin impurities. But be careful! Turmeric can discolor the skin very strongly. Therefore, it should only be used with caution in homemade skin care cures and creams.
In Asia, by the way, turmeric has long been used as a medicine in Ayurvedic medicine, for example against headaches or stomach aches. Turmeric is also said to have a possible effect against Alzheimer’s or cancer, but this has not yet been proven in scientific studies.
2. avocado
Avocados can also help keep the skin smooth and supple thanks to their valuable fatty acids. They contain many micro-nutrients that have a positive effect on the skin. These include vitamins A, B, C, E and K, as well as potassium, which, for example, promote cell renewal and cell protection.
Tip: In addition to the delicious avocado bread, you can also apply the anti-aging food to the skin from the outside.
3. watercress
Cress, and especially watercress, promotes metabolic processes in the cells. This means that harmful substances are removed more quickly and helpful substances reach the cell more quickly. Watercress is an excellent source of vitamin A and carotenoids. For example, 100 grams contain 4900 micro-grams. In addition, cress contains calcium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, folic acid and vitamins C, E, K, B-1 and B-2. You should therefore include this pungent herb in your diet more often to help your skin from the inside out.
Cress tastes great in salads or simply on bread, for example with avocado or cream cheese.
4. papaya
The tropical fruit papaya provides a lot of antioxidants that help defend against free radical damage. These nasty free radicals cause us to get wrinkles faster. So if you eat papaya more often, you can keep your skin younger. The tasty fruit also contains vitamins A, C, K and E, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins and an enzyme called pa-pain, which is also thought to have a positive effect on the metabolism.
Tip: In Australia, many people swear by ‘Lucas Papaw Ointment’, which contains papaya. It makes chapped lips silky soft and also helps with rough or itchy skin.
5. kale
Kale is a real anti-ageing powerhouse! As well as a host of antioxidants like carotenoids, kale provides loads of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, potassium and calcium. Your body needs vitamin C especially for the production of collagen, the main protein that gives the skin strength and elasticity. So with kale on your plate, you keep your skin young.
The typical winter vegetable can be added to salads – just blanch it briefly and you’re done. Kale is often a main ingredient in green smoothies, along with spinach.
6. blueberries
Blueberries are rich in vitamins A and C as well as the antioxidant called anthocyanins, a flavonoid that gives blueberries and other berries like blackberries and elderberries their deep, beautiful blue color. Antioxidants are known to protect our cells from damaging environmental influences. In addition, these secondary plant substances are said to help reduce inflammatory reactions and strengthen cell membranes.
7. red pepper
Red peppers, in addition to being high in vitamin C – which is good for collagen production – contain powerful antioxidants called carotenoids. The carotenoids, which are similar to vitamin A, give peppers their bright red color. This ingredient is not only good for our skin, but also for our eyes. As with carrots or sweet potatoes, our bodies can absorb the carotenoids best if we eat a little fat with them.
8. nuts
Many nuts (especially almonds ) are an excellent source of vitamin E, which can help repair skin tissue, keep the skin moisturized and protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Walnuts are true omega-3 boosters, rich in proteins and alpha-linolenic acids. They help our skin repair minor damage faster and slow down skin ageing.
9. carrots
The orange color of carrots comes from an antioxidant called beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A when combined with fat. Vitamin A promotes skin elasticity, metabolism and ultimately gives us soft, youthful looking skin. Carrots contain an incredible 9,800 micro-grams of carotenoids per 100 grams.
The low-calorie vegetable is wonderful to snack on on the side or drink as juice and can be prepared in many different ways.
10 Green tea
Green tea, especially in the form of match a powder, is one of the many super foods that is said to have a positive effect against the ageing effect of our body. For example, the tea is not only said to have a good effect on blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Green tea contains flavonoids, carotene’s and vitamins A, B, C and E, all secondary plant compounds that protect our cells. This is also noticeable in our skin.
By the way: green tea is not only a beauty booster when drunk. Give your hair a shine treatment with green tea. Brew the tea, let it cool and pour it over your hair after shampooing.