Whether you’re looking to preserve your youthful appearance or trying to combat the increasingly evident signs of aging, there still is no better way to treat your skin than to start from within. Even with the most expensive beauty products, if you’re not getting the necessary nutrients your body needs, your skin care routine won’t be nearly as effective. But don’t worry; every meal doesn’t have to be all kale and spinach (although let’s face it, leafy greens remain the most nutrient-dense food you’ll ever eat). Here are just a few everyday foods you didn’t know are helping your skin repair itself and resist further damage.
1. Steak
Lean cuts of beef, like sirloin and filet mignon, are great sources of protein. Protein builds collagen, the fibrous tissue that gives skin its plumpness. Unfortunately, after age 20 you can lose around 1% of the collagen in your skin every year. Over time, your skin starts to sag and look deflated. Lean proteins can provide the amino acids necessary to help collagen production. Other good sources of lean protein include eggs, skinless chicken or turkey, beans and lentils, fish and shellfish, tofu and soy, nuts and nut butters, and seeds like quinoa.
2. Bell Peppers
Bell peppers, especially the yellow ones, are high in vitamin C, another vital nutrient in collagen synthesis as well as in preventing the breakdown of elastin, a protein found in connective tissues that give skin its elasticity. Elastin allows skin to bounce back after being stretched, such as when you smile. Aside from bell peppers, other rich sources of vitamin C are guava, kiwi, broccoli, dark leafy greens, strawberries, citrus fruits, tomato and papaya. Read more
