Are there really any foods and drinks that can actually make us more ‘beautiful’ on the outside? Do they offer any real anti-ageing strategies that are particularly noticeable – or do they only benefit us by improving health and wellbeing on the inside?
Are there really any foods and drinks that can actually make us more ‘beautiful’ on the outside? Do they offer any real anti-ageing strategies that are particularly noticeable – or do they only benefit us by improving health and wellbeing on the inside?
I believe wholeheartedly that it is essential for us to look after ourselves properly – following a healthy natural anti-ageing programme, thus rendering ourselves less susceptible to a wide range of largely avoidable chronic diseases. However, I also believe that ‘looking as we want to look’ on the outside provides an enormous boost to self esteem – and this is crucial to a healthy, empowered mind-set.
EAT FOR YOUTH
Eat more fruits and vegetables – especially those containing carotenoids – which impart a healthy glow to the skin. Carotenoid-rich produce includes orange coloured fruits and veg such as carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots and cantaloupe melons, however, broccoli is high in carotenoids too.
The best news is that eating more carotenoid-rich food is really easy to integrate into a busy lifestyle. Research conducted at the University of St Andrews discovered that the daily servings required to make a difference in looks isn’t that large: only 2.9 portions a day enhanced apparent ‘healthiness’ as perceived by observers in the trial and three portions per day increased perceived ‘attractiveness’. It is thought this is because a glowing healthy skin subconsciously equates to ‘health’ – which we are psychologically hard-wired to believe signifies a desirable mate to carry on our gene pool. Only six weeks of eating carotenoid-rich foods makes this difference in our perceived attractiveness.
Aside from carotenoid-rich foods, all fruits and veg are fantastically supportive in any natural anti-ageing programme. They contain a vast range of health-promoting phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds which fight damage caused by free radicals. In addition, fruits and veg tend to have low levels of carbohydrate – or have a slow absorption of glucose into the system. This has the advantage of protecting us against the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). AGEs are formed when glucose cross-links with proteins and causes them to stiffen. This has the direct effect of creating wrinkles. However the damage caused by AGEs is far more insidious than mere cosmetic concerns; AGEs are linked to cataract formation, kidney damage, heart disease and more. The key to reducing AGE formation is to keep to a low carb diet with high quantities of vegetables and fruit.
FOOD AS A MOISTURISER
Avocado contains high levels of vitamin E and essential fatty acids which are superb for beautiful skin. Don’t forget to include a variety of nuts in your diet – they are extremely healthy and confer enormous nutritional and beauty benefits – however, don’t overdo nut consumption – they are high in calories and really rather moreish!
DRINK YOURSELF YOUNGER
Trade coffee for cocoa. Cocoa contains high levels of epicatchin and catechin – these are flavanols which protect skin from sun damage, they enhance blood circulation to skin cells, made skin look and feel smoother and improve hydration. Watch the sugar content of cocoa though – think about using stevia as a sweetener – it’s a healthy alternative to sugar and chemical sweeteners.
Green tea has enormous skin health benefits – however a particular type of green tea called matcha is particularly beneficial. This has over 20 times more anti-oxidants than the ‘super foods’ pomegranates or blueberries. Matcha beats ordinary green teas hands down when it comes to anti-oxidant levels – with over 137 times higher anti-oxidant value than ordinary green tea. It’s a bit of an acquired taste, I personally love it – but if you’re not too keen, it works really well in green smoothies.
Article by
Jayney Goddard
President of the Complementary Medical Association
is the president of the Complementary Medical Association
Discover more
Article by
Jayney Goddard
President of the Complementary Medical Association
is the president of the Complementary Medical Association
Discover more
By Jayney Goddard
