Superfoods for radiant skin: How to eat your way to a healthier glow
They say that beauty comes from within – and when it comes to glowing skin, what you eat truly makes all the difference. As a nutritionist I always urge my clients to remember that our skin can reflect the quality of our diet and whether we are low in crucial nutrients such as vitamin C, or even if our intake of things like healthy fats.
When it comes down to the exact foods we should be eating we need to think of getting a well-rounded healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, nuts and seeds all to support fibre intake and feed us with skin-supporting micronutrients, as well as good quality proteins for example, to support skin repair and renewal. One of my favourite ways to ensure I am feeding my skin all it needs is by harnessing the power of different superfoods; sprinkling them over smoothie bowls, salads, adding into yoghurts or even popping them into a hot chocolate or coffee in the mornings.
There are hundreds of different superfoods to choose from, but below I have outlined the main ones that can support your skin looking its best.
1. Wild blueberries: A little hard to find in your everyday supermarket, but these wonderful berries are loaded full of antioxidants like polyphenols, which are fantastic for helping support anti-aging of the skin and keeping you looking more youthful. They are also a source of Thiamin (vitamin B1) and Niacin (vitamin B3) which can help support collagen production and help with the skin’s appearance, respectively.
2. Acai berries: Acai has risen to popularity in the last decade, thanks to the famous acai bowls that can be seen in many cafes and healthy food establishments. Not only is acai delicious, it also is a fantastic way to support your skin’s health. Acai berries are a source of fibre, high in antioxidants to combat free radicals and keep the skin glowing, a source of minerals like zinc to help with skin cell regeneration and repair as well as copper which plays a role in skin hydration. I recommend the acai berry powder from Naturya, which is delicious in smoothies.
3. Seeds: These are an excellent source of healthy fats such as omega 3s, which can help the skin look supple, help with preventing dryness and irritation and slow down the aging process. I like to sprinkle mixed seeds over salads or even mix into oats every morning. Chia seeds, hemp, pumpkin and flaxseeds are all fantastic skin-boosting superfoods and can be found in Naturya’s breakfast Seed Crunch.
4. Green tea: This warming drink is jam packed with so many benefits, not just for the skin but also for digestive health too. Green tea can be enjoyed in the form of matcha or just enjoyed as a warming tea drink, delivering a high amount of antioxidants to support the skin’s appearance, as well as being an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial which can help with acne or eczema.
5. Cacao: This chocolatey superfood not only tastes great, it’s also great for your skin too! Cacao contains magnesium, potassium and iron, which can all play a role in helping circulation that supports our skin looking healthy as well as hydrating the skin too. You can find cacao in a powder form, which is delicious in a healthy hot chocolate or baking, or else in the form of cacao nibs which are perfect on top of porridge or smoothies. You can find both on the Naturya website.
