If good health is not motivation enough for you to have your daily dose of fruits and vegetables, then perhaps vanity will be. Fruit consumption is not only vital for the health and maintenance of your body, but for your beauty as well. The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables offer surprising visible benefits for hair, skin and nails. The following is a list of ten fruits and vegetables that will make you look and feel amazing:
1. Carrots
Carrots are rich in carotenoids, a class of pigments that can help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. These pigments are found in many other yellow and orange fruits including mangoes, cantaloupe and papayas. Carotenoids reduce the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet rays, giving skin a natural healthy glow. They are also known to prevent dandruff and hair thinning.
2. Pomegranate
Pomegranate contains about one third of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C (UK standard). Vitamin C has been proven to reduce wrinkles and dryness in aging skin. Pomegranates also contain anthocyanins which stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that helps ‘hold’ the skin together, increasing firmness and slowing the development of wrinkles. Ellagic acid, another chemical found in pomegranates reduces inflammation.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries, like pomegranates, are rich in vitamin C. They also contain vitamin E and arubatin (a derivative of a natural skin lightener). The two vitamins are antioxidants that work together brighten and even out skin tone.
4. Kale
Besides being rich in skin-firming vitamin C and vitamin A, this super-food is a good source of nutrients like zeaxanthin which neutralize harmful free radicals produced by ultraviolet light, thereby protecting skin from sun damage.
5. Beetroot
Beetroot contains several skin and hair enhancing nutrients such as iron, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Regular beetroot consumption reduces acne oiliness, and makes skin to glow. It can also prevent hair loss and wrinkles. Applying beetroot to your face can remove blemishes and dark circles and lighten the skin.
6. Grapes
Like many other fruits, grapes possess large quantities of vitamin C, E and antioxidants. The antioxidants in grapes serve to improve circulation and promote growth of healthy, luscious hair. Grapes have the ability to boost metabolism, inducing perspiration thus making the skin look young, fresh and radiant. Rubbing grape seed oil and other grape derivatives onto your face can have a variety of beauty benefits including skin softening, rejuvenation, reduced under-eye puffiness and scar lightening.
7. Strawberries
Although strawberries contain a plethora of skin-enhancing nutrients (including almost all of those listed above), this fruit is best known for its whitening properties. Strawberries have lightening extracts that can lighten both skin and teeth. Applying strawberry juice can reduce oiliness, acne and under-eye puffiness.
8. Grapefruit
For many, looking good also entails losing weight; and when it comes to losing weight, there is no better food than grapefruit. This low calorie fruit has been proven to kick-start metabolism, curb cravings and burn fat (with the help of special enzymes). Not to mention the fact that it is loaded with nutrients such as vitamin C and antioxidants.
9. Bananas
Bananas consist of a host of nutrients, including potassium, iron, Vitamins B6, B12and E. Their consumption can cure dry eyes and lead to soft skin and shiny hair. Mashed bananas or even banana peels can cure acne and blemishes (due to the fruit’s anti-bacterial properties), nourish the skin and hair and remove signs of aging.
10. Spinach
In addition to being rich in several nutrients and antioxidants such as vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids (all of which are beneficial to the skin), spinach contains lutein, which is known to keep eyes sparkling and healthy.
Bear in mind that any diet rich in fruit and vegetables, whether they be among those listed above or not, will provide the inner nourishment required for you to achieve outward beauty. Don’t forget to be patient as the visible benefits of healthy eating may take a while to manifest themselves.