Avocados, kale, blueberries and yes, even chocolate. Read on for our top 10 foods that will keep you looking lovely!
Even in the summer, we can experience the blah’s, and all those weekend cocktails, food and wine can wreak havoc on our outer appearance. So, if you are hoping to look your best this summer (think smooth and radiant skin and silky locks), we suggest reaching for one (or all) of these ten beauty-boosting foods asap. And keep on getting for their time and time again right through to fall!
Green Tea:
Ditch your usual Earl Grey for green and white varieties of tea. These varieties possess double the antioxidants, which help protect against those pesky UV rays and air pollutants. Tea also improves the visibility of natural and not so natural highlights. Soak your hair in cool tea, wrap it in a shower cap and rinse after 15-30 minutes.
Dark 70% Cacao Chocolate:
Aside from being downright delicious, dark chocolate contains many flavonoids, which improve the texture and hydration of the skin while battling damaging UV rays. Chocolate also releases endorphins – happiness is always attractive.
Yoghurt:
A dazzling smile can go a long way, so keep your pearlies, well, pearly, by adding yoghurt to your diet. Not only is yoghurt loaded with calcium, but it also has high levels of phosphorous that has been proven to strengthen tooth enamel. Yoghurt also aids with digestion (bloating is never cute), and the lactic acid found in Greek yoghurt is magic at clearing away dead skin cells when used topically.
Berries:
These summertime gems are loaded with Vitamin C, which is excellent. According to a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating a diet high in Vitamin C contributes to a significantly less wrinkled appearance as you age. Way to go, berries!
Coffee:
Caffeine addicts rejoice because coffee is loaded with antioxidants essential for healthy skin. But before you indulge in that second double shot, Americano, hear this: it’s best if you limit your coffee intake to 8 ounces a day – too much java can dehydrate you. Caffeine is also a topical diuretic, ideal for tackling puffy eyes.
Sweet Potatoes:
While you’re not likely to flip out like a stereotypical damsel every time you break a nail, it’s safe to say that it’s an inconvenience you can do without. Sweet potatoes are bursting with beta-carotene, which improves the integrity of your hair and nails.
Oysters:
Oysters are better known as the aphrodisiac of the sea, but they have plenty of beauty benefits. Oysters contain zinc, which boosts collagen production, speeds up the healing process and helps improve acne by regulating the skin’s oil production.
Kale:
Is there nothing this leafy green can’t do? Kale is jam-packed with a host of vitamins, including Vitamin A, which is vital for a dazzling white smile. Kale is also loaded with omega-three fatty acids, which reduce inflammation by puffy eyes!
Avocados:
Avocados are loaded with antioxidants that help protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. Avocado contains essential fatty acids, which help lock in your skin’s natural moisture for a dewy, radiant glow. Applying avocado oil to the skin also stimulates collagen and elastin production. Mix half an avocado with a quarter of a cup of Greek yoghurt for a quick facemask.
Almonds:
If you are none too happy about those stray greys, give almonds a try. Almonds contain a large amount of catalase – an enzyme that impedes the greying process by limiting the build-up of hydrogen peroxide in your hair follicles.
