Foods for Your Skin - Antiaging Foods to Keep You Looking Younger

Is it possible to look younger by eating foods for your skin? Because beauty, and smooth, younger looking skin, begins with what we put into our bodies on a daily basis, the answer is yes - antiaging foods do help keep those wrinkles away.

Not does our diet affect wrinkles, but eating a healthy diet of anti-aging foods keeps our skin youthful and glowing, improving many different skin problems such as dry, flaky skin, sallow complexions, acne, and rosacea.

Just what are antiaging foods?

Antiaging foods contain powerful nutrients vital to healthy, vibrant skin. Your body needs antioxidants and phytochemcials to counter the damage of free radicals to the skin cell membranes. Free radicals are formed from excess sun exposure, pollutions in the environment and chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis. Among these nutrients are Vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex and antioxidants, such as Alpha-Lipoic Acid, a powerful antioxidant which might be a super boost for aging skin.

Best Foods for Your Skin

Fruits and Vegetables are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants which help your skin to be it's most beautiful. Whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal and quinoa are chocked full of B vitamins. These antiaging foods also contain lots of fiber, which helps with elimination of toxins and waste fro your body.

Here are just a few examples of the best foods for your skin:

• Berries, like blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, are especially good. 
• Spinach is loaded with Vitamin A and K Try other leafy green veggies too, like Swiss Chard and Kale for something different.
• Bananas contain biotin. Without sufficient biotin, your skin becomes dry and flaky.  
• Broccoli, cantaloupe and carrots contain Vitamin A
• Grapefruit and oranges for Vitamin C
• Almonds contain Vitamin E
• Low fat dairy products contain lots of Vitamin A

Your skin needs lots of essential fatty acids, such as omega 3. These heart healthy oils fight inflammation in the body which produces puffy eyes and sagging skin.

• Avocados-also contain B Vitamins and fiber
• Walnuts - add a small handful to salads or cereal
• Fish such as salmon (avoid tuna because of potential mercury contamination)
• Flax seeds or flax meal - can also be added to smoothies, salads and cereals
• Use healthy oils when cooking like Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Walnut Oil, Coconut Oil or Grapeseed oil.

Beverages for Healthy Skin

• Green tea is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. Drink 3-4 cups daily, either hot or as iced tea.
• Water keeps the skin hydrated for a healthy, glowing look. Water also helps flush toxins from the body through the skin.
  

What Not to Eat for Younger Looking Skin

Some foods are enemies to younger looking skin and you should avoid them as much as possible:

• Excess Salt - Salt causes water retention, which in turn causes puffy eyes and general bloating.
• Red Meat - Contains unhealthy forms of fat, as well as toxins, such as antibiotics (unless you get grass fed, natural beef)
• Sugar - Excess sugar robs your body of B Vitamins and causes stress, which both add lines and wrinkles to your skin
• Processed foods-Contains chemicals, preservatives and other toxins as well as fewer vitamins and nutrients than whole grains, fruits and veggies.
• Caffeine in excess - Switch to water or green tea after a cup or two of coffee for more beautiful skin.
• Avoid saturated fats which clog pores and arteries too.

Fill your diet with foods for your skin because they will also help your overall health. These nutritious foods are good for your heart and your waistline and help you avoid so-called age related diseases like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Read more about the benefits of adding fruits and veggies to your diet

Read more about anti-aging foods for your skin at WebMD