Everyone wants flawless, glowing, healthy skin, but only a few do something to achieve it. Considering the damage that excessive or prolonged exposure to sun and pollutants is already doing to your skin, you can’t afford to damage your skin further by eating the wrong foods. You read that right. The food you eat has a profound effect on your skin. If you eat healthy, your skin health will improve.
Having said that, the biggest favor that you can do to your skin is to switch to a plant-based diet. A plant-based diet isn’t just good for your skin but also for your overall health and well-being.
This blog post discusses how a plant-based diet can improve skin health.
Plant-Based Foods are a Rich Source of Minerals and Vitamins
One of the biggest pros of consuming a plant-based diet is receiving plenty of minerals and vitamins that give your skin a natural glow. Plant-based foods contain much more minerals and vitamins than animal-based food products. According to a scientific study, people who consumed more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A for 6 days got extra-glowing skin. Minerals and vitamins are co-factors for enzymes, and they also function as antioxidants that fight against free radicals and protect your body from free radical damage. They strengthen the immune system and promote skin healing, improving skin appearance and overall health.
Plant-Based Foods Offer Greater Protection Against Skin Cancer and Sun Damage
Another way consuming a plant-based diet helps with skin health is the fact that a plant-based diet offers greater protection for the skin against skin cancer and sun damage. Plants contain numerous compounds that have sun-protective properties. Vegetables and fruits contain different antioxidants and phytochemicals that prevent and reduce skin damage due to the sun and significantly reduce skin cancer risk.
- Resveratrol, a phytochemical rich in berries and grapes, is a potent antioxidant that prevents oxidative damage to the skin cells due to free radicals and reduces the risk of skin cancer.
- Lycopene is an antioxidant found in tomatoes in abundance. It reduces the risk of sunburn. According to research, if you consume tomatoes every day for 3 months, your skin’s resistance to sunburn will fairly improve. Watermelons are also a great source of lycopene.
- Beta-carotene reduces sun spots and wrinkles and improves photoaging. Some of the vegetables rich in beta-carotene include potatoes and carrots.
- Triterpenoids, rich in peels of red apples, are powerful antioxidants that can kill cancer cells.
- Anthocyanin is a powerful antioxidant, also present in red apples, that possesses excellent cancer-fighting characteristics.
Plant-Based Diet Reduces the Risk of Acne
One of the most common skin problems today is acne. About 50 million Americans get an acne breakout annually. One of the biggest reasons for this is an animal-based diet. Animal-based foods contain plenty of unhealthy fats, which increase the chances of acne. Plant-based foods are low in these fats; therefore, the risk of acne is significantly reduced when you switch to a plant-based diet.
Plant-Based Diet Reduces Signs of Aging
Plants are excellent sources of antioxidants that not only prevent aging but also have aging-reversing benefits too. Switching to a plant-based diet will not only make your skin glow, but it’ll also make your skin healthier and more youthful.
4 Plant-Based Foods That Are Great for Skin
Now that you know the many benefits of a plant-based diet on the skin, let’s look at some of the best plant-based foods that are excellent for your skin health. The more you know, the more benefit you can reap.
1. Avocado
Avocado is one of the best anti-aging foods. It’s a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and K and antioxidants which have excellent ant-aging characteristics. Avocado is also rich in essential fatty acids, making your skin smoother and supple. Avocado also contains monounsaturated fats that keep your skin well-hydrated and promote the absorption of nutrients that your skin needs to stay healthy and fresh!
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are on the list of best plant-based foods for healthy skin. They’re loaded with minerals, vitamins, probiotics, and antioxidants. They may look small, but their benefits for skin and overall health are huge!
Their high levels of antioxidants make them excellent protective agents against skin damage due to pollution, stress, and environmental factors. They also prevent collagen loss, ensuring your skin stays elastic and healthy for longer. Blueberries also contain vitamins A and C and anthocyanin, which prevent oxidative skin damage and reduce signs of aging.
3. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are another antioxidant-rich plant-based food that defends your body's healthy cells against oxidative damage by free radicals. By preventing oxidative damage, chia seeds slow aging and ensure your skin looks fresh, healthy, and youthful for longer. Chia seeds are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation, improving your skin's complexion and making it fresh and glowy.
4. Nuts
Cashews, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are excellent sources of fiber, protein, and monounsaturated fats that improve skin health. They also contain vitamin E that retains skin moisture, repairs skin tissue, and protects the skin from environmental damage. Nuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids that make the skin’s cell membrane stronger and preserve the skin’s natural barrier against damage. Nuts have excellent anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of various skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Final Word
Switching to a healthy plant-based diet is a much better way to improve skin health than investing money in expensive chemical-based skin products. A plant-based diet isn’t just good for your skin but also your overall health. It’s high time you take charge of your skin health!
If you think your skin is damaged way too much and a plant-based diet alone won’t change things for you, visit us at Suncoast Skin Solutions and let our dermatologists offer you the best solutions.
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