“Foods that keep our livers cleansed of toxins, heavy metals, and fats make our whole body function more efficiently,” says Dr Julia Hunter of Skin Fitness Plus in Beverly Hills. “This makes us happier, which affects how we look. Plus, a healthy liver brightens our eyes and tightens our skin.”
Did you know that facial exercises can be as effective as eating beauty foods? I can’t guarantee that you’ll improve your natural beauty – but you’ll have fun with Carole Maggio’ facial fitness tips! Click Facercise: The Dynamic Muscle-Toning Program for Renewed Vitality and a More Youthful Appearance for more info, and read on to learn how certain foods affect a woman’s looks…
5 Types of Beauty Foods – Fruits and Veggies That Improve Your Appearance
Remember — the best way to increase your natural beauty is to focus on becoming a strong, self-confident, successful woman! But what you eat does matter…
1. Blood oranges, cherries, and blueberries decrease the effects of aging. Collagen is a natural protein in your skin and muscles that provides resiliency, shape, and texture. Collage is a great way to increase your natural beauty (which is why people get collagen injections). Unfortunately, collagen decreases with age – but you don’t need injections to get your daily dose of collagen! “Blood oranges, cherries, and blueberries are full of antioxidants, which decrease aging and disease by lowering inflammation. Antioxidants also increase collagen production and thicken the skin, making you look younger and healthier,” says Dr Julia Hunter. “Antioxidants also decrease abnormal blood vessels or rosacea.” Blackberries, raspberries, plums, pomegranate, cranberries, Asian dragon fruit, and kiwis also contain antioxidants.
2. Dandelion, turnip, and mustard greens keep your body functioning smoothly. Dr Hunter says dense green foods are “beauty foods” because they keep our livers cleansed of toxins, heavy metals, and fats, which make our whole body function more efficiently. Eat lots of broccoli, spinach, arugula – as well as turnip, mustard, and dandelion greens. Hunter warns: “Simple and refined sugars, high glycemic carbohydrates, and refined, manufactured foods age us. They make our proteins “crunchy” instead of fluid, and cause disease – which makes us look even older. By the way, fruits and veggies can help you better cope with a chronic illness.
3. Crunchy vegetables keep your teeth white and bright! Fresh raw veggies are as good for your grin as they are for your skin! Celery, carrots, string beans, and cauliflower aren’t just good ways to lose weight naturally. These beauty foods contain cellulose, which helps scrub stains from your teeth – giving you a whiter, brighter smile. “Both the cellulose and the fiber in these foods act as abrasives that clean and remove bacteria from teeth,” says Dr Mickey Bernstein, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Crunchy veggies are especially effective for recent discolorations. If you’ve just consumed blueberries, coffee, mustard, red wine or cranberry juice, follow it up with fresh cucumber slices or an apple.
4. Sea vegetables reduce wrinkles and nourish skin cells. “Polluted cells can’t function at their optimum level. When our cells are functioning optimally, not only do we have more energy – we look and feel great,” says nutritionist Carol Wasserman. “Sea vegetables are one of our richest sources of minerals and phytochemicals.” These veggies help detoxify, rebuild, and nourish all the cells in our body. Unhealthy foods, stress, and environmental pollutants cause cells to age prematurely, leading to thinning hair and premature wrinkles. “Sea vegetables reverse this process,” says Wasserman. “For example, spiriluna is a ‘detox powerhouse.’ Hijiki, kelp, arame, wakame, and dulse also work wonders.” Who knew that there were foods for beauty in the sea?
5. Wild salmon with avocado and mango dressing improves facial muscle tone. This is more than a delicious meal – it’s a feast for natural beauty! Dr Stephen Sinatra, of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, says, “Wild Alaskan salmon has precious Omega-3 essential fatty acids, which enhance blood flow. The pink/orange color of wild salmon is an anti-aging carotenoid called astaxanthin that protects cell membranes.” Salmon also contains dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), which improves facial muscle tone and reduces wrinkles. Add avocado for its antioxidant properties and mango for vitamin E anti-inflammatory beta-cryptoxanthin carotenoids – and you’ll be sitting pretty after dinner!
I welcome your questions and comments on foods that improve your appearance below…
This post is an excerpt from an article I wrote for MSN Health. To read the full article, go to 10 Foods That May Improve Your Appearance.
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Dr. Julia Tatum Hunter of Beverly Hills has completely transformed my skin! Great article!
Andrew,
Thanks for your comment about Dr Hunter — it sounds like she does fantastic work.
Laurie
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