Takeaways From This Diet Chart

You do not have to stick to this diet chart. You can consume healthy foods that will help repair and rejuvenate your skin. And for that, you have to understand what to include in your diet and what to avoid. Given below are a few tips that will help you do so:

• Drinking water on an empty stomach is a must. You may consume aloe vera juice, turmeric powder, or lime juice.
• Always have breakfast before heading out.
• Include good amounts of fruits, veggies, and protein in every meal.
• Stick to healthy snacking by consuming freshly pressed fruit juice, yogurt, buttermilk, or coconut water.
• Consume foods that are good for your gut and liver.
• Avoid foods that you may be allergic to, such as dairy, seafood, and gluten.
• Get creative by seasoning your food with spices and herbs.
• Keep hydrating yourself by including water, buttermilk, coconut water, and fruit and vegetable juices into your daily diet. Water is a natural detoxifier, so try to drink a minimum of 2.5 liters of water a day (amount may vary based on body weight).
• Now, let us take a look at the list of foods you must consume and how they help improve your skin health.
  

  15 Foods For Naturally Glowing Skin

  1. Water

• Drinking lots of water throughout the day will keep your system internally hydrated, which, in turn, directly reflects on your skin (2). Water not only flushes out the harmful toxins from your system but also keeps wrinkles at bay and gives you naturally glowing skin. Keep a bottle of water handy and sip on it whenever you crave for your favorite cola.

  2. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

• When it comes to skin health, dark leafy greens take the front seat. They are loaded with antioxidants and essential vitamins and nutrients (3). Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, radish leaves, mustard leaves, lettuce, coriander, parsley, broccoli, and arugula help rid your skin of dullness and enhance its glow. You can add them to salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, daal, etc.

  3. Turmeric

  

  Curcumin is the main phytonutrient responsible for turmeric’s antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. Turmeric taken orally or used for topical application has overall skin benefits, though further research is required to prove the same (4). You can consume washed and peeled raw turmeric first thing in the morning or while going to bed with a glass of milk. You can also add fresh turmeric to curries, salad dressing, juices, etc.

  4. Avocado

  

  Avocado is the perfect superfood for the skin. It is rich in vitamin E and healthy fats (5). A cross-sectional study done on Japanese women has revealed that healthy fats – especially saturated and monounsaturated fatsⁱ  – improve skin elasticity (6). This means that avocados may help slow down skin damage, lock in moisture, and prevent premature wrinkling and dullness. Easy ways to include them in your diet is to add them to your breakfast bowl, sandwiches, salads, dipping sauce, etc.

  5. Aloe Vera

  

  Aloe vera is the most popular home remedy for all skin problems. It contains the hormones auxin and gibberellin that have anti-inflammatory properties (7). Hence, when you apply aloe vera topically or consume its extract in the form of juice or supplements, it helps reduce any kind of inflammation. A study done on rats has found that it can also boost collagen synthesis and heal dermal wounds (8). However, don’t ever consume aloe vera gel directly from a plant.

  StyleCraze Says

  You can use a homemade scrub made with olive oil, aloe vera, honey, and oatmeal and use it twice a week to enhance the glow of your skin.

  6. Fruits

  

  Fruits are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fruit sugar. These sweet treats keep your hunger pangs at bay, preventing you from consuming sugary junk food that increases inflammation in your body. Hence, by consuming fruits, you will be able to maintain your skin’s health and get the glow that you always wanted. Here are a few fruits that we recommend:

  • Mangoes are rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A), which is synthesized in the skin. Oral intake of beta-carotene helps reduce UV-induced redness in humans (9). It also said to prevent premature aging, retain the skin’s elasticity, and facilitate the growth of new skin cells, though there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims.
  • Banana is rich in vitamins A, B, and E and prevents premature wrinkling of the skin. It has moisturizing and antioxidant properties (10).
  • Papaya has antibacterial properties (11). Thus,it may help in shedding the dead skin cells and clearing your skin of impurities.
  • Oranges and kiwis are rich in vitamin C (12), (13). Vitamin C delays the onset of wrinkles and boosts collagen synthesis (14) Kiwi is also a powerful antioxidant (15). Other vitamin C-rich fruits are guavas, grapefruits, and strawberries. Vitamin C also protects the skin from sun damage and promotes cell turnover, thus preserving the youth and beauty of your skin (14).
  • Anecdotal evidence suggests that a glass of warm water with honey and lemon juice can lighten your skin tone and keep it clear.
  • Apple helps maintain a toned look and makes your skin look younger, though there is no scientific evidence to prove the same.
  • Berries have potent antioxidant properties (16). Anecdotal evidence suggests that consuming them may help you get rid of dark spots and marks quickly.

  • 7. Carrot

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    Carrots contain high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and antioxidants. They make your skin healthy from the inside by flushing out toxins. They also have a photoprotective effect. They protect your skin from sun-induced damage and prevent premature aging and wrinkles (17). Sweet potatoes and yams are other options that show similar results.

    Related: 10 Nutritional Benefits Of Carrot Juice For Skin, Vision, And Health

    8. Fish And Fish Oil

  • Fish and fish oil are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They provide the skin with a healthy dose of natural oils (good fats) to reduce inflammation, acne, and redness (18). Consume fatty fish like tuna, salmon, and carp or take fish oil supplements to keep your skin healthy and soft. Consume grilled or baked fish. Do not discard the skin.

    9. Healthy Fats

    Healthy fats are great for your skin. The main sources of healthy fats (omega-6 fatty acids) are nuts (almond, walnut, macadamia, etc.), seeds (flaxseed, sunflower seed, chia seed, etc.), healthy oils (olive oil, rice bran oil, etc.), and fish and fish oil, which we have already talked about. Nuts, seeds, and oils are great options for vegans and vegetarians to nourish their skin, improve its structure, and heal wounds (19). Include them in your diet in adequate amounts to get flawless skin.

  • 10. Green Tea/Matcha Tea

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    Aanand Geria, a board-certified dermatologist and a Clinical Instructor in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Health System, says, “Green tea contains vitamin E, which promotes new skin cell growth, making the skin softer and giving it a natural glow. It also contains vitamin B2, which helps keep skin firm and youthful. Green tea can be consumed or applied to your skin; both are equally beneficial for glowing skin.” Green tea is a natural source of antioxidants. It is loaded with a potent phytonutrient – epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The percent of EGCGⁱ  is highest in matcha tea and green tea. These antioxidants in tea help scavenge the harmful free radicals, thereby protecting your skin from premature aging, dark spots, and redness (20). Green tea polyphenolsⁱ  also prevent acne vulgarisⁱ  and lipid synthesis by the sebaceous glandsⁱ  , leaving your skin healthy and blemish-free (21

    11 . Yogurt

    

    Yogurt and buttermilk contain probiotics that help in digestion, absorption, and excretion (23). When your digestion is smooth, and you have no gut problems, your skin will be less prone to breakouts, dryness, and infections. Consume yogurt every day after lunch, dinner, and in shakes and smoothies.

    12. Bottle Gourd

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  • It hydrates and protects your skin, thereby giving it a natural glow. The phytonutrientsⁱ  present in bottle gourd have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (24). Therefore, it may help in getting rid of scars naturally. Bottle gourd juice also improves digestion and reduces constipation (25). Thus, it may lend your skin a natural glow. Consume bottle gourd juice in the morning with other breakfast items. You can also make bottle gourd soup .