Mail OnlineFrom orange veg, to berries and avocado, experts reveal the 8 skin superfoods YOU should eat for a radiant complexion Blemish free, radiant skin is the goal for women across the world
Millions are spent on creams, lotions and potions that promise perfect skin
Team of nutritionists urge women to forget fancy new moisturisers
Instead, they say, beautiful skin begins with what you put on your plate
From orange veg to avocado, they reveal the best food for your skinBlemish free, radiant young-looking skin is something all women long for.
Millions are spent across the world on creams, lotions, serums and other potions - all promising the perfect complexion.
But, instead of focusing on what you slather on your skin, a team of experts are urging women, and men alike, to rather concentrate on what they are putting in their bodies.
Forget a fancy new moisturiser, they proclaim.
And instead embrace the notion that beautiful skin starts on your plate.
Shona Wilkinson, head nutritionist at
http://www.NutriCentre.com, a natural health retailer, said: 'Many people don't make a link between the foods they eat and their skin.
'But, like any other part of the body, our skin is kept healthy by the food and nutrients that we consume.
'So while a poor diet can quickly lead to sallow or dry skin, blemishes or acne, a healthy diet based on whole foods including a variety of vegetables and fruit, nuts and seeds, beans, fish and whole grains is an excellent basis for glowing, youthful skin.
'The following foods are particularly good sources of helpful nutrients and great skin boosters.'
KEEP IT ORANGE Vegetables such as carrots, squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes contain particularly high levels of beta carotene, and other carotenoids, which give them their orange colour.
'Beta carotene converts to vitamin A in our body, which is one of the most important nutrients for skin integrity - meaning the skin that is firm, resists damage and can heal quickly,' Ms Wilkinson said.
'Beta carotene itself may also help to prevent free radical damage to our cells that can result in ageing, as it works as an antioxidant.
'The orange vegetables are delicious as a basis for stews and soups in the winter, or roasted with other vegetables such as peppers, red onions and beetroot.
BEAUTIFUL BERRIES Berries such as blueberries, raspberries and blackcurrants are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Nutritionist Cassandra Barns said: 'This vitamin is vital for the formation of collagen, which gives our skin structure and elasticity.'
Furthermore, she explained, vitamin C is also an antioxidant, 'protecting our cells from damage'.
'Berries also contain many other plant nutrients that may work as antioxidants in the body, such as the quercetin, catechins and resveratrol,' she said.
'Another advantage of berries over most other fruits is that they are lower in sugar - a diet high in sugary foods can speed up skin ageing.
'Berries are great added to plain yoghurt, with some chopped nuts – an ideal snack or breakfast option.'
Ms Barns said it can be beneficial to take a supplement packed with antioxidants and resveratrol, such as Nature's Plus AgeLoss Skin Support.
OILY FISH FOR HYDRATION Oily fish, including sardines, mackerel, salmon, and trout, are packed with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Ms Barns said: 'It has been found that Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids play an essential role in skin structure and appearance.
'They are incorporated into cell membranes in the epidermis, the outermost layer of cells in the skin, and help to maintain the skin's barrier function and prevent moisture loss.
'They are also thought to have a role in the dermis, the lower layer of the skin, by controlling inflammation and minimising collagen damage from UV rays.'
For those people who are not a fan of fish, Ms Barns said a good fish oil supplement, such as Quest Vitamins' Omega-3 can prove a good addition to their daily diet.
BEAUTIFUL BERRIES Berries such as blueberries, raspberries and blackcurrants are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Nutritionist Cassandra Barns said: 'This vitamin is vital for the formation of collagen, which gives our skin structure and elasticity.'
Furthermore, she explained, vitamin C is also an antioxidant, 'protecting our cells from damage'.
'Berries also contain many other plant nutrients that may work as antioxidants in the body, such as the quercetin, catechins and resveratrol,' she said.
'Another advantage of berries over most other fruits is that they are lower in sugar - a diet high in sugary foods can speed up skin ageing.
'Berries are great added to plain yoghurt, with some chopped nuts – an ideal snack or breakfast option.'
Ms Barns said it can be beneficial to take a supplement packed with antioxidants and resveratrol, such as Nature's Plus AgeLoss Skin Support.
OILY FISH FOR HYDRATION Oily fish, including sardines, mackerel, salmon, and trout, are packed with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Ms Barns said: 'It has been found that Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids play an essential role in skin structure and appearance.
'They are incorporated into cell membranes in the epidermis, the outermost layer of cells in the skin, and help to maintain the skin's barrier function and prevent moisture loss.
'They are also thought to have a role in the dermis, the lower layer of the skin, by controlling inflammation and minimising collagen damage from UV rays.'
For those people who are not a fan of fish, Ms Barns said a good fish oil supplement, such as Quest Vitamins' Omega-3 can prove a good addition to their daily diet.
Link to Full EXCELLENT INFORMATIVE Article - Photos - Video:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/artic ... exion.html