Top 10 foods that 'make you look younger the more you eat'

Have you ever heard that eating the right foods, in the right way, will help maintain long-term beauty? That is absolutely true.

"Your diet directly affects your daily appearance, as well as plays a major role in how your body ages," says Joshua Zeichner, PhD.

According to Dr. Zeichener, the smart approach is to build a diet with ingredients that are good for skin and hair such as rich in nutrients, minerals, fatty acids, combined with antioxidants to protect the body from harmful environmental agents.

And here are the top 10 foods that can help you “eat more, look younger”:

Coffee

Drinking coffee every morning not only gives you an energy boost to start your day, but also adds bio-active compounds that protect your skin from melanoma (the fifth most common cancer in the US), according to a recent report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. People who drank four cups a day for 10 years had a 20% lower risk of developing melanoma than those who did not drink coffee.

Watermelon

This summer fruit is packed with lycopene. “This antioxidant that gives watermelon and tomatoes their red color helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV rays,” says nutrition professor Keri Glassman, founder of NutritiousLife.com. Researchers believe that watermelon contains 40 percent more of the phytochemical than raw tomatoes, which is equivalent to an SPF of 30. So eat watermelon to boost (not replace) your daily dose of sunscreen.

Pomegranate

The seeds of this wonder fruit are packed with antioxidants like Vitamin C, which helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and dryness by neutralizing free radicals that damage the skin. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high doses of Vitamin C significantly reduced dryness and wrinkles in middle-aged women. Pomegranates also contain anthocyanins, which boost collagen production, making skin firmer; and ellagic acid (a natural chemical that can reduce dark spots caused by sun exposure).

Blueberry

Boost your skin’s radiance with this tiny fruit. Blueberries are a great source of vitamins C and E, two antioxidants that have been shown to brighten, smooth, and fight free radicals. They also contain arubtin, a natural skin lightener, says Dr. Zeichener.

Lobster

This crustacean is rich in zinc, which makes it great for fighting dark spots and acne, and promoting skin regeneration. “Zinc promotes the regeneration of skin cells. That’s why zinc is often included in many acne medications,” says Whitney Bowe, MD, professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Kale

Of the long list of vitamins this leafy green contains, vitamin K is the most abundant. Vitamin K promotes blood circulation, which helps prevent skin from looking pale. To maximize the benefits of this vegetable, eat it cooked, rather than raw.

Egg

Human nails are made of protein, so if the body lacks it, they will be very brittle. “Eggs are a rich source of biotin, a B vitamin that can promote amino acids, the building blocks of protein,” said Professor Frank Lipman, Director of the Eleven-Eleven Health Center in New York, USA.

Chestnut

Omega-3 fatty acids—found in natural oils that help moisturize hair—and vitamin E (which helps repair damaged hair/skin) are two of the secrets to healthy, shiny skin and strong hair and nails. Chestnuts are incredibly high in both. All you need is a quarter cup of chestnuts a day. They also contain copper, which slows down the graying process.

Avocado

Here’s another reason to love avocados: They’re rich in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that helps skin retain moisture at the surface, keeping it soft and supple, says Dr. Bowe.

Melon

This sweet melon contains beta carotene, which is believed to support cell growth in the scalp and the fatty parts of the skin. It can help prevent blemishes and skin cracks.

According to Zing.vn