10 Foods that Can Help You Look Younger

Every day, environmental elements like pollution, cold weather, sun and stress interfere with the ability of elastin and collagen to maintain our skin’s youthful glow. Fortunately, a great diet with foods rich in antioxidants can help offset the cell damage that causes skin to look older. And who knew looking after our skin could be so yummy? These foods are among the most effective at keeping you healthy so your skin can look its best.

Berries

Blueberries and raspberries are tasty on their own or in our breakfast dishes, salads or even in entrees like our favorite Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Strawberry Sauce. And they are the ideal health-enhancing food. These sweet and tangy fruits contain flavonoids (which have anti-inflammatory abilities), plus polyphenols, vitamins, probiotics and tons of antioxidants. All of these fancy-sounding properties promote healthy skin regeneration.

Here are the best berry recipes you’re not making yet.

Green Tea

Glowing skin is all about skin-cell regeneration, and green tea is a superhero in that respect. Loaded with antioxidants, green tea contains a chemical called EGCG that has helps skin cells grow properly and maintain a healthy life cycle. You can drink green tea, of course. And there are also extracts.

Tea is good for more than just skin. Check out these ways you can use a tea bag that goes beyond the mug.

Yogurt and Kefir

Unprocessed yogurt is a solid source of probiotics—live bacteria that are good for your digestive system and contribute to dewy skin. Kefir, now found in the dairy section of most grocery stores, kicks it up a notch. This milk-based product has three times more probiotics than yogurt. Problems like acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea can all improve when consuming probiotics, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Try your hand at making homemade yogurt with this easy how-to.

Fish

Salmon, mackerel and sardines are all rich in omega 3 fatty acids—good fats. And good fats with essential fatty acids are great for the skin, helping it stay hydrated and plumper—which in skin is a good thing! Check out these recipes for 45 ways to love salmon.

Nuts

Go ahead. Go nuts for nuts—especially walnuts. Not only does this variety contain the most omega 3 fatty acids, but walnuts also contain vitamin E, which ups the skin-boosting ante. Along with other health-building foods, nuts have anti-inflammatory properties that help with conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema. But remember: Nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and pistachios, are high in calories. So whether you eat them, cook with them or sprinkle them on a salad, think “moderation.”

Need some help? Here are some healthy ways to add nuts to your diet.

Avocado

This fruit offers tons of good-for-your-skin fats and high levels of glutathione, which some scientists claim is the most important molecule to prevent disease. The glutathione in avocados helps flush toxins from the body, key to maintaining healthy skin cells. And it can help minimize acne! Put avocados to work in one of these avocado recipes.

Honey

Sugar cravings are my worst. But what if a spoonful of honey not only curbed this desire, but also dosed your system with natural antiviral and antioxidant goodness? You’re in, right? You should be. Honey’s nutrient structure offers sweetness without causing inflammation in the body like refined sugar does. Plus honey, a humectant that attracts and holds moisture, is so good for your skin, you could even use it as a face mask. Take a look at even more health and beauty benefits you can get from honey.

Spinach and Kale

These beautiful leafy greens contain phytonutrients or antioxidant compounds that help guard against damage caused by the sun. Spinach is loaded with beta-carotene and lutein, two nutrients that can improve skin elasticity. Kale offers similar benefits. Try it in one of these amazing kale recipes. You will not be disappointed.

Pomegranates

Pomegranate juice is a great source of vitamin C, which is good for keeping skin smooth, and the seeds can help replenish dry, dull skin. It has antioxidants that fight against damage from free radicals, avoid inflammation (think pimples!) and help preserve collagen, the tissue that makes skin appear smooth and plump. To give your skin a youthful boost, try one of these pomegranate recipes. 

Tomatoes

Studies show that vitamin C and lycopene in this fruit strengthen the vascular system, helping to improve circulation and protect your skin from UV damage. You can turn tomatoes into a pasta sauce, but for the greatest health advantage, eat them raw with one of these delicious fresh-tomato recipes.