Top 10 Anti-Aging Superfoods

Our skin is a clear indication of how well we treat our bodies — after all, we are what we eat and the state of our health and our diet is apparent on our body’s largest organ, the skin. Of course heredity factors, sun exposure, skincare and hydration factor in too but if we can look and feel better with a wrinkle-free, smooth, fabulous complexion by eating the right foods, then we might as well try!

What you eat has so much to do with how you look and how well you will age. If you eat rubbish, you will feel and look it too! Inflammation and free radical damage cause collagen breakdown in the skin, while antioxidants in the diet work towards neutralizing these free radicals which will protect your skin strength and health.

As we age the body runs a little less smoothly and we become more susceptible to age-related degenerative diseases. So what can we do about it? A recent study suggests that a Mediterranean diet appears to be associated with longer telemores, an established marker of slower aging. Research has pinpointed specific nutrients that help prevent harm from environmental factors, nutrients that will hydrate your complexion, and keep your skin cells looking their best. A healthy well balanced whole-food diet is very important in reducing the incidence of disease while also reducing the effects of aging, but here are a few foods that really have an anti-aging punch.

These foods will keep your complexion looking smooth by fighting those pesky (skin-damaging) free radicals:

1. Blueberries
These little fruits, including other berries such as blackberries, raspberries, mulberries and cranberries, offer large amounts of antioxidants such as flavonols, anthocyanins and vitamin C which helps reduce cellular aging. The darker black and blue colored berries provide the best anti-aging benefits because they have the highest concentration of antioxidants. Blueberries have also shown excellent promise for boosting memory in aging patients.

2. Leafy Greens
Bet you could have guessed this one! Dark leafy greens, particularly spinach and kale which contain the two antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, have been shown to protect against the negative effects of UV exposure. Every time the skin is exposed to UV light, damage occurs and the cumulative effect of that repeated damage is epidermal DNA damage, persistent inflammation, oxidative stress, and suppression of T-cell mediated immunity. This then contributes to the increased risk of skin cancer and skin aging. A study demonstrated that women who consumed a higher intake of green and yellow vegetables had a lower incidence of wrinkles.

3. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are high in silica which helps form the collagen that supports a wrinkle free face.

4. Guava
Guava fruit contains a very high level of vitamin C which supports collagen production and skin appearance.

5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are high in lycopene (so are watermelons!) which acts as an internal sunscreen protecting the skin from UV radiation, sunspots and aging. They also contain vitamin C for collagen strength and potassium which regulates the water and nutrient content of the cells in the skin.

6. Avocado
Avocado is such a gorgeous fruit, that also helps make your skin beautiful. Its essential fatty acids support healthy oils within the skin, and it also offers vitamin E and biotin which also offers skin, nail and hair nutrient support.

7. Pomegranate
These amazing seeds contain ellagic acid and punicalagin that support anti-aging by inhibiting free radical damage and protecting and preserving the collagen in your skin.

8. Wild Fish
Wild (oily ones especially) fish including sardines, herring, mackerel and wild salmon offer omega-3 fatty acids that support skin, hair and nail moisture and skin elasticity by strengthening skin-cell membranes.

9. Walnuts
Walnuts are particularly high in polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E which are naturally anti-aging and anti-inflammatory.

10. Dark {High Quality} Chocolate
Antioxidant flavanols found in dark good quality cacao helps reduce inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to UV light. It may also  increase circulation in the skin and improves its ability to retain moisture, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Here are some wonderful Edible skincare treatments from masks to scrubs for you to enjoy. Here’s to looking and feeling fabulous forever!