It’s no secret that nutrition is a critical component of our overall health and wellness. Eating right and loading up on healthier, more nutritious foods
can help keep our bodies healthy and fight off serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Many people might not be aware that good nutrition can also go hand-in-hand with beautiful, healthy skin. It’s true; what we put in our bodies can affect our skin by altering hormone levels or causing skin issues like acne and inflammation. However, just as certain foods can negatively affect our skin, other foods can have a positive effect. To help promote a smooth, glowing complexion, we recommend incorporating the following skin-friendly foods and drinks into your diet:

Fatty Fish

Certain fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and herring, can be excellent foods for healthy skin. The omega-3 fatty acids found in these fish are helpful for keeping the skin soft, supple and hydrated, as a deficiency in omega-3 fats can cause dry skin. Additionally, omega-3 fats can reduce skin inflammation which may lead to redness and acne.

Walnuts

Much like fatty fish, walnuts contain a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. We strongly recommend walnuts for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone else not currently eating fish. Walnuts can also be a great source of other essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium and protein, all of which are crucial for keeping your skin healthy.

Green Tea

Green tea can have the ability to protect your skin from sun damage and other visible signs of aging. The drink contains compounds known as catechins, powerful antioxidants that work to protect our skin against sun damage and redness, while improving the hydration, thickness, and elasticity of skin.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as all the major carotenoids that protect the skin from sun damage and help reduce wrinkling. Lycopene, the phytochemical that gives tomatoes their signature red color, helps make the skin less sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Dark Chocolate

For anyone looking for a skin-healthy treat after dinner, dark chocolate can be a great choice. The cocoa found in dark chocolate contains antioxidants that can protect the skin against sunburn and help reduce wrinkles. Dark chocolate can also improve the thickness of the skin, while boosting hydration and blood flow.

Enjoying these skin-friendly foods is a good first step towards achieving healthy, young-looking skin. However, keeping the right diet is only one small component of keeping your complexion radiant. For anyone seeking additional help bringing out their best, healthiest skin, we recommend coming into any of our three locations (Avalon, Phipps Plaza, Northside) for a complimentary skincare analysis appointment. If you would more information on skincare or the cosmetic treatments we offer, please contact AYA^™ Medical Spa today. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+ for more skincare tips, news, photos, and updates.