Is it a dream come true? can we really eat our way to younger looking skin? and is it real food we eat? "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause" and there are foods that will help our skin start looking younger.
We can stop chasing the latest and greatest miracle creams and super potions that are trying to be portrayed as the fountain of youth.
We need not look any further than the grocery store.
So what kind of age defying foods can we eat that will start turning back the clock when we look in the mirror? Anti-oxidant rich foods are one group and are just as beneficial as antioxidants skin care products.
Free radicals are all around us, constantly bombarding our bodies from the environment like the sun, the air and other uncontrollable sources.
Free radicals cause damage to our skin cell membranes, and since we can not avoid them, we need to fight back, so what's the best way? We can eat those free radicals away.
Eating anti-oxidant rich foods are beneficial for our skin as well as tasty.
Some examples of anti-oxidant rich foods would be: · Plums · Cranberries · Strawberries · Raspberries · Pomegranates · Artichokes · Nuts Anti-oxidants protect our skin from free radicals that can cause collagen break down and premature aging.
These anti-oxidants help protect our skin cell membranes from damage, but it is also important to have healthy and vibrant skin cells to begin with.
Essential fatty acids are a key ingredient needed by our cells membranes.
It is important to eat our dose of these essential fatty acids daily, because our bodies can not produce a lot of these nutrients on its own.
Vitally important for good skin and overall good health are omega3 and omega6 fatty acids.
To ensure a healthy balance of omega3 and omega6 fatty acids, oily fish like salmon and herring as well as walnuts and avocados should be eaten regularly.
One great recipe I use that is high in anti-oxidants is actually a dessert that my whole family loves and can't get enough of.
You use 4 or 5 large avocados, 2-3 table spoons of raw cacao powder and agave.
Raw cacao powder; found in health food stores is raw chocolate powder and has more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested so far, including blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas.
You just scoop the avocados into a blender, put the raw cacao powder in and pour some agave nectar sweetener (which also has a low glycemic index) into the mixture, and mix/whip it into a light mousse like consistency.
Refrigerate and enjoy.