Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are good for your health. They are low in fat and calories, provide fibers, help control blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. But, one particular part of your body that benefits greatly from fruits and vegetables that you may overlook is your skin.
The largest organ in the body, your skin is a significant indicator of your overall heath. The nutrients you consume affect the appearance of your skin. Diets low in fruits and vegetables, and those high in fats, acids and calories often lead to skin damage such as acne, inflammation and oily and dry skin. Fruits and vegetables contain several vitamins and minerals that contribute to your skin health. You can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin by simply cutting foods high in fats, acids and calories from your diet and replacing them with fruits and vegetables. But, sometimes eating healthy isn’t too easy because fruits and vegetables can be boring alone. If you want to improve your skin and enjoy delicious foods at the same time, here are three types of fruits and vegetables that will benefit your skin and your taste buds.
1. Black and green olives
Although olives are commonly viewed as an ingredient in dishes, they provide many benefits to your skin. While there are many different olive types, black olives and green olives are ordinarily used in food dishes, and both are beneficial to your skin health. Both olive types are high in vitamin A and vitamin E. Vitamin A helps your skin maintain a balanced and healthy tone, and vitamin E helps protect your skin from sun damage, keeps your skin hydrated and slows the aging process. You can enjoy olives in salads, on top of pizzas, in cheesesteaks or hoagies, and they go great in pasta dishes such as spaghetti. Of course, if you’re already an olive lover, you can eat them right out of the jar.
2. Strawberries
Strawberries are especially beneficial to those with acne as they are rich in salicylic acid, which is an active ingredient in fighting blackheads and whiteheads. Because strawberries are sweet, you can eat them alone, mix them in a bowl of cereal or a salad, and they are great for dessert toppers, or enjoyed alone with a dip of chocolate.
3. Broccoli
While oranges are commonly thought of as being high in vitamin C, broccoli is actually richer in vitamin C than orange juice. Vitamin C is a widely used ingredient in skin care and produces the protein collagen. Collagen helps form the skin’s firmness and helps tone the skin. You can dip broccoli in dressing as an appetizer, place melted cheese on it to eat as a side, or enjoy it in main dish such as broccoli casserole.
Keep your skin healthy and your taste buds happy with these three fruits and vegetables.
Jillian Johnson is a professional content writer who loves writing about health and beauty. Follow her @JillianLJ87.
