You’ve probably heard of the saying, “You are what you eat”, but most people don’t keep that in mind when making diet choices. Eating healthily is crucial for a healthy body. If you battle with skin issues like acne, a change in diet might be the breakthrough you need. Certain foods have been said to have properties that aid in clearing up impurities on the skin and healing skin cells. We’ve carefully researched some effective fruits and vegetables which contain properties that aid in overall skin rejuvenation. These superfoods contain retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin B12, vitamin C and a host of other nutrients that the skin needs.
Root vegetables and fruits
- Carrots: For ages, carrots have been proven to heal the skin of impurities. Many skin care products contain carrots. It’s no wonder since they contain beta-carotene and vitamin C. These nutrients help to prevent skin damage and rid the skin of blemishes, thus having clearer, glowing skin. Carrot is more effective when it’s in juice form, but make sure it’s 100% fresh, and not concentrated.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a good source of phytonutrients like lutein and lycopene. Additionally, they have high water volume, which helps to hydrate the skin and ultimately aids the elasticity of the skin.
- Sweet potatoes: Packed with beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E, sweet potatoes help in fighting early aging and preventing skin discoloration. They also help to lighten black spots without bleaching the skin.
Marrow and leafy greens
- Leafy greens: Vegetables like the local pumpkin leaves (known as ugu in Nigeria), African spinach, garden-egg leaf, jute leaves (ewedu in Yoruba) and others definitely deserve to make it to your plate the next time you’re eating. This is because they’re power-packed with nutrients like retinol (vitamin A), vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate, which help in collagen formation, and healing of damaged skin.
- Cucumbers: Containing water, vitamin C and folic acid, cucumbers help to keep the skin well hydrated, leaving it smooth and supple. The phytonutrients in it helps to heal the skin from sun damage and reduces swelling around the eyes. If you suffer from eye bags regularly, a piece of cucumber on the affected surfaces could clear it up in minutes. This leaves your face blemish-free.
Eating these vegetables not only helps makes skin clearer, but also improve your overall health. How? By introducing nutrients that help to fortify your immune system against diseases. The next time you want to cook or snack on something, snack on carrots or cucumbers. Alternatively, you can add some leafy greens to your soups and sauces. The more you incorporate a healthy diet, the more your body and skin will thank you.