Who knew that dark chocolate was good for your skin???? Read on to what else is good for your skin and then take a look at the recipe I posted -www.nobadfoods.com/recipes/pound-cake-with-an-attitude
During these cold, raw days of winter, our skin really suffers, especially our faces. It gets drier, more pinched and it seems that no amount of cream will smooth it out. So, I started researching the best foods to eat for a better complexion and, by and large, these easy to find foods were all on lists published by Prevention Magazine, HealthLine, and top medical centers around the country. All high in antioxidants that help the skin heal during times of stress, including the weather.
Here you go:
• Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, they keep the skin supple and moisturized
• Avocados – packed with vitamin E, these beauties are full of those healthy fats so necessary for firmness of facial skin
• Walnuts – another good source of healthy fats including omega-3 fats. Walnuts are also being studied as beneficial in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
• Sunflower seeds – a great source of omega-6 fatty acids and they help shield the skin from UV rays and pollution. (I think I’ll plant a few more in the garden this year!)
• Sweet potatoes – bursting with beta carotene (think orange color) which converts to vitamin A in the body, ½ cup of this wonderful vegetable provides 6 times the recommended daily requirement of vitamin A.
• Green, leafy vegetables – broccoli, kale, spinach all carry a ton of antioxidants and vitamins including Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps early skin aging, stimulates collagen synthesis which improves skin renewal.
• Dark chocolate – Here’s another reason to eat chocolate if you didn’t before. Cocoa (the basis of chocolate) contains flavonoids which are natural compounds that help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure. (Think antioxidants again) This contributes greatly to better skin protection against sun damage and improves hydration and blood flow leading to more radiant skin. Just a reminder though – dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa is what you should choose – it maximizes the benefits and keeps the sugar down. Milk chocolate won’t do the job.
• Tomatoes – rich in Vitamin C, lutein and lycopene, they are another powerhouse of antioxidants that help protect the skin from wrinkling and sun damage. Glad they are available year-round!
• Red grapes and blueberries – these fruits contain a compound known as resveratrol, another powerhouse antioxidant, which has been found in studies to reduce skin aging and dark spots.
