4 foods with powerful anti-aging properties

Do you want to slow time’s effect on your appearance? If so, there’s nothing more effective than incorporating more anti-aging foods into your diet. The best anti-aging foods will nourish your body from within and help to keep you looking young.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you can magically erase laugh lines and crow’s feet just by eating more apples, (if only!). But you can stop the clock by eating foods that have lots of healthy fats, ellagic acid, vitamins E and C (which boost collagen), and antioxidants.

So does this mean that anyone should be eating all these foods? In fact, no. Some people can’t digest apples, while others can’t eat certain foods due to religious or philosophical beliefs. So do what’s best for you. That said, research shows that in order for these anti-aging foods to have an effect on your body, you need to eat them often to see the difference on your skin.

So if you’re ready to keep wrinkles at bay, here are the healthiest anti-aging foods to keep your skin healthy and fresh.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a powerful source of antioxidants. These antioxidants can shield you against skin-damaging free radicals. The kinds that come from UV rays, pollution, stress and sun exposure.

Free radicals are responsible of breaking down the collagen in your skin. When that happens, skin blemishes, sun spots, and wrinkles become more noticeable. In short? Less collagen = saggier skin and wrinkles.

Blueberries are also loaded with vitamins C and E, which promote collagen production. While you may not actually get to see collagen, this is what gives your skin that healthy, dewy glow, and blueberries have lots of them, so start loading up!

Pomegranate seeds

Want a fresh and radiant-looking skin? Eat more pomegranate seeds! These tiny red seeds pack a mighty flavorful punch. But they can also boost your health and beauty from the inside out.

Pomegranate seeds contain ellagic acid and polyphenols. These two powerful antioxidants increase your skin’s elasticity and improve your body’s ability to preserve collagen. Polyphenols fight the damage caused by environmental factors and sun exposure. Polyphenols is what gives pomegranate that vibrant red hue. They’re also present in mulberries, strawberries, green tea, cumin, turmeric, and wine.

Salmon

Salmon is an incredible source of omega-3 fatty acids, a must-have nutrient that can help you get plumpy, youthful skin. Omega-3s also have the power to:

• soothe dry, itchy skin.
• control oil production.
• reduce your skin’s sensitivity to harmful UV rays, making it more resistant and protecting it from the damage caused by free radicals.

Salmon is also a great source of astaxanthin. It’s a carotenoid antioxidant that gives salmon, tomatoes and carrots their vibrant pink and orange hues. According to a 2012 study, consuming astaxanthin and using it on your skin can:

• smooth out fine lines.
• reduce sun spots.
• keep your skin hydrated.

You can find Omega-3s in other fatty fish like mackerel, herring, oysters, sardines and anchovies. So if salmon is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of omega-3 sources out there. Consider taking fish oil supplements if you don’t eat fish.

Avocados

Avocados are an incredible source of antioxidants, fatty acids, omega-9, vitamin C and E, (two of the most powerful antioxidant vitamins out there). When all these nutrients come together, they become a powerful multivitamin that is capable of preventing hair loss, repair dehydrated skin, and leave you with plumpier and more radiant skin.

Avocados are one of those versatile fruits that can help improve your cardiovascular health, reduce your risk of getting cataracts, and may even help with weight loss. So when we said that beauty starts on the inside, we weren’t kidding.

Rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, the healthy fats found in avocados give the skin a boost of nourishment, which helps prevent dryness and dehydration. Much like the healthy omega-3s found in salmon and mackerel, these fatty acids may also protect your skin from environmental and UV rays damage.

Avocados are also packed with vitamin C and E, two essential vitamins that promote collagen formation and prevent free radical activity, (which is in essence what causes premature skin aging). As a bonus, avocados also contain zeaxanthin and lutein, two antioxidants that may prevent radical free activity and make the skin more taut and resistant.