SEVEN BEST FOODS



Many opinions exist about what makes a food good, better or best. Some use taste as the defining factor, others ease of preparation. Affordability and availability are other criteria frequently involved in judging a food's worth. But if you are talking about nutrient density, or the amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that you get for a serving of a food, those which are by far the most nutritious, according to Joel Fuhrman, M.D., in his book "Eat for Health," are almost exclusively leafy greens.

Mustard Greens

Mustard greens are pungent members of the cruciferous family of vegetables, whose seeds are used to make the condiment mustard. One cup of mustard greens contains only 15 calories, and is an excellent source of many nutrients, including the vitamins A, C, K, E and folate, in addition to the minerals manganese and calcium. According to Dr. Fuhrman, who has evaluated the total nutrient value of hundreds of foods and compared them on a numerical scale of 1 to 1,000, mustard greens earn a perfect score.

Kale

Kale is a cruciferous vegetable whose nutritional value makes it a worthy inclusion to your weekly shopping list. Kale has levels of nutrients comparable to mustard greens. It is a very good source of fiber and calcium, and like other leafy greens kale is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Kale also has a nutrient density score of 1,000.

Collard Greens

Collard greens are another low-calorie leafy green vegetable with a nutrient density score of 1,000. At a mere 60 calories per 5 oz. serving, collard greens are a perfect addition to salads and steams if you are budgeting calories, and with over 40 percent of calories coming from protein, collard greens are a perfect muscle food.

Spinach

Spinach is not just for Popeye, although if you want his forearms, this leafy green is for you. Over half of the calories in spinach come from protein, and 1 cup of spinach, at only 7 calories, provides over 180 percent of the daily requirement for vitamin K, important for blood clotting, and over half your daily requirement for vitamin A, necessary for healthy vision.

Brussels Sprouts

Although they look like miniature cabbages, Brussels sprouts are anything but puny when it comes to nutritional punch. Along with the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, Brussels sprouts are very rich in vitamin K, folate and fiber, similar to their cruciferous kin, kale and mustard greens.

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard may not be as readily-available as spinach, but calorie for calorie, this tall, leafy vegetable with a thick, crunchy stem is one of the most nutritious of all vegetables, which makes it one of the best foods around. It is a rich source of many newly discovered phytonutrients, essential compounds present only in plants, and it is a concentrated source of the carotenoids, anti-oxidant compounds such as beta-carotene, which slow cellular aging.

Bok Choy

Bok choy is a frequent addition to Asian dishes, and like collard greens it is packed with protein, with over 10 grams of protein per 100 calories. Bok choy has a very mild flavor and a higher concentration of beta-carotene and vitamin A than any other cabbage. It is also a good source of potassium, important for the maintenance of normal blood pressure. Bok choy earns a nutrient value of 824, by Fuhrman's scoring method.

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HEALTHY SOFT DRINKS


Although "healthy" probably isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think of soft drinks, beverage companies are increasingly offering products aimed at the health-conscious consumer -- and one of these is healthier sodas. While these "healthy soft drinks" are still sweet and fizzy like traditional soda, they may offer certain healthful advantages, such as: reduced or zero calories, natural ingredients, and/or added vitamins. However, before you assume a soft drink is healthy, check the nutrition label. Some sodas marketed as healthy drinks may have the same sugar content or artificial ingredients found in regular soda.


Diet Soda

Diet soda is probably the "healthy soft drink" that you're most familiar with. Diet sodas may be healthier than regular sodas in that they are sugar-free and virtually calorie-free. Diet sodas contain sugar-free sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium or sucralose. Because they don't contain sugar or calories, diet sodas may help with weight control and diabetes control. Furthermore, unlike the high fructose corn syrup used in most regular sodas, artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas don't contribute to dental decay. That said, diet soda contains no nutrients, and certain artificial chemicals in diet soda -- some of which are also found in regular soda -- may potentially carry some cancer risk.



Natural Sodas

So-called "natural" soft drinks are another type of soda marketed as healthy. Soft drinks labeled as "natural" might be sweetened with cane sugar or fruit juice rather than with chemically processed sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup or aspartame. Other soft drinks with "natural" on the label may still contain high fructose corn syrup, but also contain some natural ingredients. Although many people equate "natural" with "healthy," there is, as of yet, insufficient evidence to prove that naturally occurring sugars are any healthier than high fructose corn syrup or that the artificial chemicals in soft drinks are harmful to health. Moreover, any type of added sugar, when consumed in excess, can lead to weight gain, diabetes, dental cavities and other health problems.


Vitamin-Fortified Sodas

Some diet and nondiet sodas contain added vitamins, minerals or antioxidants. For example, one major soda company debuted a soft drink in 2007 fortified with vitamins B-3, B-6 and E, and the mineral chromium. Also in 2007, another soda-pop giant unveiled a variation of its most popular diet soda brand, fortified with vitamins B-6 and B-12, niacin, magnesium and zinc. Yet another major soda company offers an "antioxidant" version of a popular brand, in both diet and nondiet versions, which is fortified with 10 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin E. While these vitamin-fortified soft drinks might be better for you than regular soda, it is healthier to get your nutrients from foods.


Considerations

While some "healthy" soft drinks may offer certain nutritional advantages over regular soda, water remains the healthiest beverage choice. Low-fat milk, 100-percent fruit juice, tea and coffee are also healthier alternatives to soda, when enjoyed in moderation. If you do drink soda, it is healthiest to do so only in moderation -- even if the soda is sugar-free or sweetened with natural sugar. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, if you were to drink one can of sugar-sweetened soda every day, you could gain 15 lbs. in one year. Additionally, while diet sodas have the advantage over regular soda of being sugar-free, the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners are not known.

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What Is Healthy to Drink Other Than Water?



Green Tea

Green tea, the infused leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, contains compounds called flavonoids that may help prevent disease when consumed. Drinking three cups of tea a day can reduce the risk of heart attack, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Green tea consumption may also protect against cancer, osteoporosis and dental caries. Drinking green tea might also help people who are trying to lose weight.



Milk

Milk is one of the best sources of calcium available, providing nearly a third of the recommended daily intake for adults in a single cup. In addition to calcium, milk is often fortified with vitamins D and A, essential nutrients that benefit the bones and eyes. Low-fat milk is also low in calories, making it a good choice for dieters. Milk may even help promote weight loss, although this use remains under investigation.


Fruit and Vegetable Juices


Fruit and vegetable juices made with 100 percent juice and no added sugars can be healthy drinks when consumed in moderation. While it's always better to get your nutrients through whole foods, juice can be an easy way to get a few more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Be careful to read the ingredient list to ensure that what you are buying is truly 100 percent juice and not sugar-laden punch. Even 100 percent fruit juices can be high in calories, so don't consume them in excess.


Red Wine

A glass of red wine a day may help protect your heart by increasing the levels of high density lipoprotein, or HDL, in the blood. A compound called resveratrol is probably responsible for boosting this good type of cholesterol, although other antioxidants and flavonoids contained in red wine may contribute to the protective effect as well. However, don't drink more than one or two glasses a day, since the negative effects of alcohol consumption can quickly outweigh any benefit red wine might give you.


Hot Cocoa

If you love chocolate, the news that hot cocoa can be a healthy drink may be particularly good news. Hot cocoa contains about twice the amount of antioxidants in red wine and two to three times more than green tea. Remember, though, that adding sugar or whole-fat dairy creamer to your cocoa can turn this healthy treat into an unhealthy one. Hot cocoa is a good way to get a daily dose of heart-healthy dark chocolate without the saturated fat normally found in a chocolate bar, as long as you limit yourself to one cup a day.

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List of the Best Healthy Foods & Drinks to Have

Nonfat Milk

While water represents the best low-calorie drink for routine thirst quenching, 1 cup of milk provides a large amount of the calcium -- 30 percent -- and vitamins A and D that you need daily. According to USDA, most Americans don't get enough calcium because they drink beverages other than milk. Getting your calcium from this food source rather than from a supplement provides the additional vitamins that you might otherwise not get that day.

Fortified Breakfast Cereal

The ratio of good nutrition to fat and calories in low-sugar breakfast cereals is so positive that cereal makes a healthy diet selection for any meal. The USDA encourages choosing more whole-grain food sources for their high natural fiber, a nutrient in which many Americans risk deficiency. Manufacturers also fortify many wheat, oat, corn and rice cereals with additional iron, calcium and essential B vitamins.

Spinach

Cooked spinach illustrates the good nutrition that a single nutrient-dense food can add to a healthy diet. Just 1 cup of spinach contains significant amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and dietary fiber to help meet your daily requirements. The American Diabetes Association notes that the calorie and carbohydrate contents of spinach are so low, you can't eat too much.

Berries

Getting the extra fiber you need from food sources adds good nutrition such as vitamins and antioxidants to your diet, the ADA reports. Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries provide a wider variety of nutrients than plant-based fiber supplements, which remove nutrients in processing. Unsweetened berries add color and flavor but few calories to meals and snacks.

Soybeans

Cooked soybeans and other dry beans, peas and lentils satisfy many of your dietary needs, supplying high levels of protein, iron, potassium and fiber. The USDA includes them as meat substitutes in healthy diets that seek to limit fat and cholesterol. Soybeans extend their nutritional benefits to soy milk and tofu products.

Salmon

Another way to limit fat and cholesterol while maximizing nutrition is to eat fish instead of meat at least twice per week, as the American Heart Association advises. Fresh or frozen salmon contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron and other nutrients. Canned pink salmon includes edible bones that boost your calcium levels.

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7 herbal teas that will make you healthier


Peppermint tea

Halifax naturopath Colin Huska recommends drinking peppermint tea to relieve the symptoms of abdominal gas and bloating, and to relieve muscle spasms. It’s also good for nausea (without vomiting) and for heating up the body and making it sweat. If indigestion or heartburn are problems, however, then Dixon recommends avoiding peppermint altogether. Peppermint tea can also be made using fresh herbs from the garden—and it's one of the easiest herbs to grow.

Ginger tea

Another great digestive aid, ginger can be used to curb nausea, vomiting or upset stomach due to motion sickness. Make fresh ginger tea by simmering a piece of ginger root on the stove for 10 to 15 minutes—add fresh lemon juice and honey when you have a cold for a powerful germ-fighting combination. Beacon also suggests making tea from powdered ginger to ward off a chill.

Chamomile tea

A gentle calming and sedative tea made from flowers, chamomile tea can be helpful for insomnia. It can also be helpful with digestion after a meal. Huska recommends chamomile in cases of cough and bronchitis, when you have a cold or fever, or as a gargle for inflammation of the mouth. Be sure to steep it well to get all the medicinal benefits.

Rooibos tea

High in vitamin C as well as other minerals, rooibos has all sorts of health benefits. An easy drinking tea, it’s largely grown in South Africa and has been touted for itsantioxidant properties—which may in turn help ward off disease and the signs of aging. It has also been shown to help with common skin concerns, such as eczema.

Lemon balm tea

An easy-to-grow plant, lemon balm is helpful for lifting the spirits. “It’s good for the winter blahs,” says Deacon, “and it can help improve concentration.” She adds that lemon balm is safe for children and may help prevent nightmares when consumed before bed. This herb also makes a refreshing iced tea, and can be flavoured with lemon or maple syrup.

Milk thistle and dandelion tea

When consumed as a tea, milk thistle or dandelion are gentle liver cleansers. “They help the liver to regenerate and function at a higher capacity,” says Huska. “They can also assist in the production of bile, which can help with our digestive process.”

Rosehip tea

Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant and are one of the best plant sources of vitamin C, which is important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal function. Consider reaching for rosehip tea next time you need a health boost.

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Top 10 Foods and Drinks for Cancer Prevention

1. Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy and kale. These score high for containing many anti-cancer substances, such as isothiocyanates.

2. Globe artichoke for very high levels of salvestrols.

3. Dark greens, such as spinach and romaine lettuce, for their fiber, folate and a wide range of cancer-fighting carotenoids. Other dark colored veggies, too, such as beets and red cabbage.

4. Grapes and red wine, especially for the resveratrol.

5. Legumes: beans, peas and lentils, for the saponins, protease inhibitors and more.

6. Berries, particularly blueberries, for the ellagic acid and anthocyanosides.

7. Flaxseed, especially if you grind it yourself and consume when fresh, for the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, lignans and other “good fats.”

8. Garlic, onions, scallions, leeks and chives, for many anti-cancer substances including allicin.

9. Green tea, for its anti-cancer catechins, a potent antioxidant.

10. Tomatoes, for the famous flavenoid lycopene.


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Healthy Food And Drinks For Men


healthy-food-drink-for-men- 


Men can use green vegetables, fruits, eggs and fish ashealthy food. They can enjoy the healthy drinks like milk shakes, juices and water.
Food is essential and basic need of every human being. One can get ill without taking the proper healthy food and diet. Healthy food and drinks are important for women as well as they are very much important for men’s health. But most of the time men ignore their healthy food and drinks diet as they are very essential for men’s fitness and body muscle mass. Here are some suggestions of healthy food and drinks for men.

Healthy food choices for men

Healthy food for men keeps them younger

There is a long list of healthy food supplements for men. Healthy food actually impairs the health level of men’s body. Vegetables and fruits are very beneficial and they are full of antioxidants. Researchers and doctors suggest taking tomato in your daily diet. They decrease the chances of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Broccoli and green beans are also very healthy food. Broccoli is very effective to decrease the cholesterol level and impacts of allergy related substances. Green beans are very good as a healthy food. They consist of vitamin C, K and manganese and omega 3 fatty acids. Cord fish and fatty fish are also very beneficial for men’s health point of view. Men who eat fish regularly they have very less chances of heart diseases and diabetes. Sea food controls the blood pressure. Eggs and chicken is also very healthy food option for men. Eggs are full of proteins and calories and they improve the blood lipids and control the cholesterol level. Egg yolk is very good for eye sight and hair. Olive oil is the must have food for men’s health. It is healthy food and effective for digestive system and improves the cognitive skills.

Healthy drinks for men

Healthy drinks for men keep them energetic

Water is the first recommended healthy drink for men. There is no alternate of water as it provides volume and smartness. This healthy drink is very good for dehydration, asthma and hyperventilation. Man should drink at least 12 glass of water in a day. Milk is another option as a healthy drink. It is rich in calcium and proteins. It is very good for bones and reduces the chances of osteoporosis. You can drink it in different forms. Desserts, milk shakes are very healthy and tasty. Fresh fruit juices and energy drinks or vitamin enhance waters are also a good source of nutrition and minerals for men’s health. Coffee and green tea are the most useful and healthy drinks for men.

Add healthy food and drinks for men in your daily diet

Have a healthy life with healthy food and drinks

Now you just need to add the essential diet plan in your daily routine. The healthy food will keep you younger for long time, fit and smart. As good health and beauty are synonyms. So follow the healthy food and drinks for men and get beautiful life.














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Healthy food and drink for pregnant women
      Pregnant women should not drink at random, because health for the mother's health also for the baby. As well as with food, try to eat foods that are necessary for pregnant women. First, I will discuss the types of healthy drinks for pregnant women. What should you drink? Actually, there are 4 types of drinks that good for pregnant women. The 4 types of drinks are :
1. Mineral Water. No matter how much water to drink will not be bad for your health. In fact, water is very healthy for the body, is is smoothing flow of blood. So, drink 2 liters of water that equivalent to 8 glasses every day.

2. Milk. Minunan is a source of calcium and vitamin D the best, especially for the fetus that requires calcium for bone growth. Because the increased need for calcium during pregnancy, you should consume about 2 cups of milk each day. Choose a special milk for pregnant women, because it has been enriched with various vitamins and minerals, like folic acid.



And This is you should to avoid :

1. Drink alcohol is strictly prohibited for pregnant women. Why? Because You would have risk having a baby with Down syndrome, central nervous system disorders, or were born dead ! Drinking alcohol occasionally can cause miscarriages and babies born with low weight. So, avoid beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages.

2. Too much caffeine contained in coffee, tea, chocolate, and softdrink, not good for pregnancy. Too much caffeine causes miscarriages feared in the first 3 month, or babies born with low weight. That is why, the dose recommended to drink caffeinated drinks during pregnancy is not more than one cup a day.

Whatever that comes into the stomach will be absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to the entire body, including the placenta in charge of sending food to the fetus. When you drink water, for example, the fetus will also drink as much as you drink. Similarly, if you drink something sweet, your blood sugar of baby will join in rise.

The Best Food for Pregnant Women :

1. The first thing to note is, a pregnant woman must consume enough foods containingfolic acid and vitamin B complex. Both types of these foods should be consumed even before a pregnant woman or when the relevant plan to become pregnant. Folic acid and vitamin B complex is required during the formation of nerve cells especially in early pregnancy. Increased consumption of both substances are proven to increase your baby's growth significantly.
2. Protein. As a builder substances, especially proteins needed during the formation of the body cells and blood cells. Types of food that contains lots of protein are meat, eggs and nuts. In addition to protein, red meat also contains iron which is useful for the formation of cells and prevent anemia for both the mother and baby.

3. Pregnant women also should consume enough carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is the fuel for the formation of energy for daily activities. During pregnancy, weight gain and hormonal changes cause a woman requires extra energy. However, pregnant women should also keep the energy balance in the body by exercise routine specifically designed for pregnant women.

4. Beside protein and carbohydrates, pregnant women should also be constantly eating foods that contain calcium, vitamins and minerals. As we all know, calcium is a very important ingredient for bone formation, also for the function of nerve cells. For the source we can get calcium from milk, eggs, meat, fish, especially marine fish. Medium Vitamin A, C, B12, D and etc. needed to maintain healthy skin and bones and keeping function of nerve cells. These vitamins can easily be found in vegetables and fruits.

Many pregnant women who think that when they eat, they eat for two people, in fact they only need 300 extra calories for the baby. So, make sure the extra 300 calories is a nutritious food and healthy. Dont waste your time, give the best nutrition for the baby. I hope these tips is useful. Thanks.










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HEALTHY FOOD & DRINKS
If your food and drink selections can use some nutritional guidance, consider what your body needs for fuel. While fat makes you feel full, your metabolism can slow from too much of it. While sugar gives you energy, it breaks down quickly and the boost is short-lived. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes complex carbohydrates that provide important dietary fiber, low-fat forms of protein, and consistent sources of vitamins and minerals within limited calorie counts.


Fish

Fish such as sardines, halibut and salmon have greater ratios of unsaturated 

fat to saturated fat, making them superior sources of protein than meats. 

These healthy foods also contribute iron and B vitamins to your daily 

totals. If you're trying to lose weight, eat 3-oz. servings of haddock, sole, 

cod and perch, which have high nutrient values and contain only about 

100 calories, as the USDA Nutrient Database reports.





Whole Grains

Whole grains include whole-wheat and whole-rye flour, oatmeal and brown rice. To maintain heart health and control your weight, half of the grain products that you eat should come from whole rather than refined grains, advises the American Heart Association. Most commercial cereals incorporate whole wheat, corn, oats, barley or rye, and many add 
supplementary vitamins and minerals.


Low-Fat Dairy Products

Fat-free milk is a healthy drink that provides significant calcium, protein and vitamins A and D within 83 calories per serving. The USDA calls such content nutrient-dense, as opposed to a carbonated soda that has no nutritional value other than sugar in its 137 calories. Nonfat or reduced-fat yogurt and cheese are also considered healthy sources of calcium.


Vegetables

Starchy vegetables such as pinto beans, lentils and split peas provide large amounts of fiber and minerals. Their average 235 calories per cup come from healthy protein and very little fat. Potatoes and sweet potatoes have similar nutrition. Nonstarchy veggies such as cooked spinach, squash, broccoli, carrots and Brussels sprouts offer vitamins A, B, C and E among them, and demonstrate why the USDA suggests eating a variety of vegetables to get the full range of vitamins. Carrot juice and tomato juice make healthy drinks for their fiber and vitamin content.


Fruits

Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, pears, apples, bananas and oranges deliver substantial vitamin C and fiber. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend choosing a variety of colors in fruits to take advantage of the range of beneficial phytonutrients that different fruits contain. Whole fruits are considered healthier forms of nutrition than fruit juices, whose natural sugar concentration is high.


Water

Water's zero-calorie presence in a healthy diet lets you stay hydrated to nourish skin and aid in body function. The American Diabetes Association considers water healthier than sugar-sweetened drinks.

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Top 5 Foods for Beautiful Skin


5. Seafood
Active components: Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc
Benefits: Smooth, clear and glowing skin
Most of us have heard that fish can be really good for your overall health -- it's a primary component in what's known as the "Mediterranean diet." Many types of fish and shellfish can also work wonders for the skin, especially oysters and fatty fish like salmon.
The primary nutrients that make fish so good for your complexion are zinc and, especially, omega-3 fatty acids. Increasing omega-3 intake can reduce dryness and inflammation. Inflammation can cause skin to age faster, and research shows that getting too little omega-3 may contribute to inflammatory disorders like eczema and psoriasis [source: UMMC]. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help keep the heart's arteries clear and so improve circulation. Good circulation is crucial to skin health.
Zinc can help fight acne because it's involved in metabolizing testosterone, which affects the production of an oily substance caused sebum, a primary cause of acne. Zinc also assists in new-cell production and the sloughing off of dead skin, which gives the skin a nice glow .
You'll also find these benefits in flaxseed oil and walnuts.
Next up: Peel some of these for tighter skin.

4. Citrus Fruits

Active component: Vitamin C
Benefits: Smooth and taut skin
Vitamin C is a prime skin-care ingredient in tons of beauty creams. This vitamin aids in the body's production ofcollagen, a protein that forms the basic structure of your skin [source: Discovery Health]. Collagen breakdown, which starts speeding up significantly around the age of 35, can leave your skin saggy [source: RealAge]. Consuming extra vitamin C in foods like oranges, grapefruits, Acerola cherries (a single Acerola has 100 percent of your vitamin C for the day) and tomatoes can help tighten the skin and prevent wrinkles.
Vitamin C also may fight inflammation, and its antioxidantproperties can neutralize the free radicals (highly reactive oxygen molecules) that damage cells and can prematurely age your face.
In case you get tired of eating all that fruit, hot peppers, bell peppers and sprouts also have good amounts of vitamin C.
Next up: Veggies are good for way more than weight control.

3. Red and Green Vegetables

Active components: Vitamin A, beta-carotene
Benefits: Bright and smooth skin
Skin is the body's largest organ. It makes sense, then, that what's good for your whole body is also good for your skin -- and as far as food goes, it doesn't get much better than vegetables. You'll especially want to look for red-orange and green vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach.
Orange-red vegetables are full of beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene into vitamin A, which acts as an antioxidant, preventing cell damage and prematureaging. In the case of vitamin A, you also get anti-acne benefits -- vitamin A has been used in acne medications (think Retin-A) for many years.
Spinach and other green, leafy foods provide tons of vitamin A, too, which helps your skin produce more fresh new cells and get rid of the old ones, reducing dryness and keeping your face looking bright and young.
Mangoes are also a great source of vitamin A. It's best to get this vitamin from food and not fromsupplements, though, since too much vitamin A can cause health problems.
Next: You'll probably be happy to find out that what's good for your skin can also be really good for yourtaste buds…

2. Nuts

Active component: Vitamin E
Benefits: Young and soft skin
As with many of the skin-healthy foods on our list, the good stuff in nuts -- especially almonds -- has to do with antioxidant activity. Vitamin E combats skin-aging free radicals, especially protecting skin from sun damage due to UV-sunlight-generated free radicals [source: Self]. Vitamin E also tends to help skin hold in moisture, relieving dryness and making skin look younger.
Pairing vitamin E with selenium can enhance its antioxidant abilities, so go ahead and throw some almonds into your cottage cheese (great source of selenium) for a skin-revitalizing snack [source: LifeScript].
Almonds, pistachios and walnuts also provide a nice supply of omega-3 fatty acids, another great skin nutrient.
Our last beauty food: Keep it whole to get fantastic overall results…

1. Whole Grains

Active components: Rutin and B-vitamins
Benefits: Clear and moisturized skin
The "whole food" movement has whole-body advantages, not the least of which is great-looking skin.
Whole foods are basically unprocessed -- whole wheat bread instead of white bread, for instance. The whole grain buckwheat is a good source for the antioxidant rutin, which helps combat inflammation-related skin damage. Wheat germ provides the B-vitamin biotin, which assists cells in processing fats. If you don't have enough biotin in your body, your skin can become dry and scaly.
In general, whole grains instead of processed carbohydrates can improve your complexion. Processed (or refined) flours can cause an insulin spike, which in turn can encourage acne. Replacing your refined-flour pancakes with buckwheat pancakes is a good acne-reducing move. Incidentally, this would also help reduce your risk of developing diabetes [source:MedicineNet].
Not into buckwheat? Avocadoes and mushrooms can provide similar benefits.
Now, while oranges, buckwheat, oysters, spinach and almonds are great foods for your skin, achieving great-looking skin through dietary changes doesn't have to be so specific. A healthy body means healthy skin. Just feed your body good, healthy foods, get some exercise and keep your stress low, and your skin will reap the benefits.
For more information on skin health and related topics, including home recipes for facials, look over the links on the next page.





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