10 Foods that Improve Your Looks
You’ve heard, “You are what you eat.” Does your diet really have an effect on your appearance? Yes! Eating sensibly helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it also helps to maintain a healthy appearance. When the things you eat are good for you, you’ll look that way, too. Here are 10 foods that not only help you feel great, but help you look great, too.
Water
Drinking plenty of water every day helps the skin look soft, supple and more youthful. By keeping the body hydrated, your overall appearance will benefit, from improved skin texture, hair and nails. If you’re feeling bloated, it may be due to an increase of sodium in the body. Increase your intake of water to help flush it out. Water also helps in the weight-loss process.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps the body fight infection and disease. It pumps up the immune system and also promotes healing. Did you also know that vitamin C is essential to collagen production? Collagen helps the skin remain elastic but firm, which keeps the skin wrinkle and line free. Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage are all vitamin-C-rich foods. Keep in mind that their juices are also packed with this important vitamin.
Green Tea
Green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve immune function and reduce the risk of specific types of cancer. It is also rich in antioxidants If you’re a big coffee drinker, try replacing your morning java with a cup of green tea. Without cream, sugar or other artificial flavorings, you may notice a reduction in weight while satisfying your caffeine fix.
Soy
Soy proteins are rich in amino acids, vitamin E and many anti-oxidants. These components help the skin retain moisture, smooth out skin’s appearance and improve its elasticity.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 are known as “good fat,” which helps cellular functioning. This helps skin, hair, nails, muscles and practically everything involved in your physical appearance. Like other “good” foods, EFAs help the cells to function properly. This helps to maintain clear skin and prevent blemishes, reduce wrinkles, improve hair condition and nail growth.
Milk
The phrase “milk does a body good” isn’t only a catchy marketing phrase, it’s also true. Milk is rich in calcium, vitamins B2, B-12 and D. Calcium, paired with the calcium-absorption booster vitamin D, helps to maintain strong bones and healthy teeth. Vitamins B2 and B-12 are essential for red blood cell growth, which helps to carry much needed oxygen to cells. What does this mean to your looks? Hair and skin will look livelier and healthier.
Green vegetables
Vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, iron and fiber. We’ve already discussed the benefits of vitamin C, but equally important to looking great is your intake of vitamin A and E. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties and maintains moisture for eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin E is essential for healthy, smooth and younger looking skin.
Yogurt
Since yogurt is a dairy product, all the benefits of milk also hold true for yogurt. Yogurt also contains friendly bacteria, which aids in digestion, improves the immune system and (when used as a mask) can help hydrate and cleanse the skin.
Garlic
The effects of garlic have been widely known for centuries, but only recently taken seriously by modern science. In studies, this mysterious and potent food has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and even prevent cancer. Although your partner may not want to kiss you after eating it, keep in mind that garlic is also high in antioxidants, which will help you stay looking young. If you can't stand the smell or taste, take it in capsule form.
Chocolate
Well, maybe chocolate isn’t the most health-conscious food on the planet. However, it does have positive effects on your mood by pumping up endorphins and serotonin, (Guess what? Exercise does the same thing!) This gives you an overall calm and pleasant feeling. And when you feel good, you look good. Who can argue with that?
Water
Drinking plenty of water every day helps the skin look soft, supple and more youthful. By keeping the body hydrated, your overall appearance will benefit, from improved skin texture, hair and nails. If you’re feeling bloated, it may be due to an increase of sodium in the body. Increase your intake of water to help flush it out. Water also helps in the weight-loss process.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps the body fight infection and disease. It pumps up the immune system and also promotes healing. Did you also know that vitamin C is essential to collagen production? Collagen helps the skin remain elastic but firm, which keeps the skin wrinkle and line free. Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage are all vitamin-C-rich foods. Keep in mind that their juices are also packed with this important vitamin.
Green Tea
Green tea has been shown to lower cholesterol, improve immune function and reduce the risk of specific types of cancer. It is also rich in antioxidants If you’re a big coffee drinker, try replacing your morning java with a cup of green tea. Without cream, sugar or other artificial flavorings, you may notice a reduction in weight while satisfying your caffeine fix.
Soy
Soy proteins are rich in amino acids, vitamin E and many anti-oxidants. These components help the skin retain moisture, smooth out skin’s appearance and improve its elasticity.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 are known as “good fat,” which helps cellular functioning. This helps skin, hair, nails, muscles and practically everything involved in your physical appearance. Like other “good” foods, EFAs help the cells to function properly. This helps to maintain clear skin and prevent blemishes, reduce wrinkles, improve hair condition and nail growth.
Milk
The phrase “milk does a body good” isn’t only a catchy marketing phrase, it’s also true. Milk is rich in calcium, vitamins B2, B-12 and D. Calcium, paired with the calcium-absorption booster vitamin D, helps to maintain strong bones and healthy teeth. Vitamins B2 and B-12 are essential for red blood cell growth, which helps to carry much needed oxygen to cells. What does this mean to your looks? Hair and skin will look livelier and healthier.
Green vegetables
Vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale are rich in Vitamin A, C, E, iron and fiber. We’ve already discussed the benefits of vitamin C, but equally important to looking great is your intake of vitamin A and E. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties and maintains moisture for eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin E is essential for healthy, smooth and younger looking skin.
Yogurt
Since yogurt is a dairy product, all the benefits of milk also hold true for yogurt. Yogurt also contains friendly bacteria, which aids in digestion, improves the immune system and (when used as a mask) can help hydrate and cleanse the skin.
Garlic
The effects of garlic have been widely known for centuries, but only recently taken seriously by modern science. In studies, this mysterious and potent food has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and even prevent cancer. Although your partner may not want to kiss you after eating it, keep in mind that garlic is also high in antioxidants, which will help you stay looking young. If you can't stand the smell or taste, take it in capsule form.
Chocolate
Well, maybe chocolate isn’t the most health-conscious food on the planet. However, it does have positive effects on your mood by pumping up endorphins and serotonin, (Guess what? Exercise does the same thing!) This gives you an overall calm and pleasant feeling. And when you feel good, you look good. Who can argue with that?
posted by Kathleen Bell Kelley, MD @ 10:20 AM
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