Nutrition Menu for Youthful Skin

Many factors around us affect our facial skin and cause it to age prematurely. The passing years, our country's warm climate, a sedentary lifestyle, and the instant nutrition we have become accustomed to. We certainly can't turn back the clock, but we can change our diet, and it doesn't matter when you start taking action.

There are many foods that we consume daily without being aware of their wonderful ability to perform miracles on our skin. These foods are rich in natural components like vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, enzymes, and others—consuming them significantly improves the appearance of the skin, along with providing other important benefits.

Here are five types of food recommended for daily consumption to prevent diseases and improve the appearance of facial skin:

1. Strawberries – Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlights the link between vitamin C found abundantly in strawberries and the prevention of skin elasticity loss, thus also its aging. The strength of vitamin C lies in its ability to produce collagen—the substance responsible for skin elasticity and vitality.

2. Salmon – Salmon is rich in omega 3, known for its phenomenal abilities to protect our cells from free radicals. Studies show that people who regularly consumed salmon were less likely to contract cancer, and their skin aged at a slower rate.

3. Coffee – For all addicts, you can relax, as a daily cup of coffee is still included in our 'recommended' definition. Research published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention found a direct link between daily black coffee consumption and reduced risk of developing skin cancer, and that consuming it daily is beneficial. Caffeine appears to play an important role in eradicating cancerous metastases because it blocks the protein by which those cancer cells multiply.

4. Tomatoes – Findings from research on lycopene—a pigment found in tomatoes that gives them their red color and their 'smooth, beautiful facial' appearance—indicate that consuming two tablespoons of fresh tomatoes a day shields the skin from sun damage.

5. Soybeans (also known as edamame) - Soybeans are rich in substances called isoflavones, which reduce the formation of wrinkles that form on the face as a result of sun exposure. This substance is also active in maintaining the collagen, as mentioned, which helps firm the skin and keep it looking fresh and young.