Antioxidants: Your Natural Skin Protection
Antioxidants occur naturally as vitamins or phytonutrients (nutrients found in plants), or synthetically in a lab for skincare. In any form, antioxidants help our bodies fight free radicals, which contribute to sagging and wrinkled skin. Including an array of colorful, pigmented fruits and vegetables in your diet every day that contains antioxidants can help improve your skin health. A few suggestions are listed below.
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES. Broccoli, spinach, kale, brussels sprouts and other dark, leafy greens are rich in vitamin C and glutathione, an antioxidant that protects cells from toxic free radicals. Spinach and broccoli are also particularly high in lipoic acid, an antioxidant that helps to prevent deficiencies of vitamins C and E in the body. Broccoli also possesses high amounts of carotenoid beta-carotene, which strengthens blood vessels to help repair damaged skin.
ACAI. Acai contains high amounts of anthocyanins, which help to combat the signs of aging in the skin and reduce inflammation. The high flavanoid content in acai also purportedly helps to increase the skin’s elasticity. You can find dried acai berries and juice at your local health food market.
NUTS. Vitamin E, highly present in nuts, can protect cell membranes and reduce sun damage. Vitamin E can be a soothing antidote for irritated, dry skin; it also can be especially effective in negating sun damage when used in conjunction with vitamin C.
BERRIES. Berries (including blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, blackberries and goji berries) supply high doses of vitamin C, which has skin repairing abilities. Blueberries are especially high in anthocyanosides, which are purported to slow the aging process of the body’s organs, including skin.
TEA. In both its white and green varieties, tea is packed with antioxidants. Rich in the EGCG, catechin and flavanol antioxidants, brewed teas are shown to be especially effective at reducing cancerous growths and inhibiting the development of other diseases. They also help to banish dehydration and deterioration of skin cells.
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Antioxidants can really help in minimizing skin wrinkles as you’ve pointed out. Good suggestions!