Eat yourself beautiful
There’s no doubt that most of us would like to stay looking younger for longer. Even the most beautiful people are looking for ways to enhance their beauty further. In the recent trend that is beauty foods it is suggested that inner and outer radiance is not just a question of our genetic makeup. So, if you were not necessarily blessed with the beauty gene then there’s hope! There could be another way for you to glow.
The key to this is the food and beverages we consume and our level of physical activity (you should aim for 30 minutes moderate exercise 5 times a week). On top of this there are various topical lotions and potions to help keep us looking ‘youthful’. But to what extreme is it possible to go in trying to stall the inevitable process of ageing?
In Japan, nutricosmetics started appearing back in the 90’s whereas in many parts of Europe and America it is still a very niche and underdeveloped market. Green tea, soy and CoQ10 are some of the best-known ingredients for supplements and functional foods from Japan, but a wealth of lesser-known foodstuffs are also the subject of enquiry into their potential health benefits. The Japanese supplement and functional food market is renowned as the most innovative in the world but other countries seem reluctant to follow in the countries desire for beauty foods.
So what is the secret to outer beauty through nutrition? According to some literature - antioxidants, the right mixture of proteins and plenty of fluids to help keep you well hydrated and eliminate the toxins from your cells. Also keeping the gut healthy by eating lots of fibre containing foods will ensure optimal absorption of these essential nutrients is achieved.
Some ingredients that have purported beautifying properties are listed below:
Nutrient
|
Beauty benefit
|
Food sources
|
Aloe vera
|
Enhances vitamin C and E absorption, which are potent antioxidants. Studies have also shown the anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera.
|
Aloe vera leaves.
|
Coenzyme Q10
|
A precursor for energy production in cells and also acts as a powerful antioxidant. It is crucial in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes and as such may help prevent symptoms of ageing skin.
|
Fish such as sardines and mackerel, peanuts, soya, liver.
|
Collagen
|
Is readily absorbed and thought to prevent signs of ageing by improving the quality of skin, nails and hair.
|
Connective tissue of animals, plant extracts.
|
Gingko biloba
|
Antioxidant properties, which could reduce damage to skin caused by free radicals.
|
Gingko leaves.
|
Green tea
|
Its catechins are very strong antioxidants and may reduce free radicals, which damage the skin.
|
Green tea leaves.
|
Hyaluronic acid
|
A highly water retentive molecule which may help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.
|
A constituent of animal connective tissue.
|
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
|
Aid absorption of antioxidant vitamins and many of the group’s essential fatty acids have been found to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties. Keep the skin appearance looking younger and may help people with conditions such as eczema.
|
Vegetable oils, oily fish (mackerel, sardines and salmon), nuts and whole grains.
|
Soya isoflavones
|
May provide protection against UV induced skin ageing.
|
A class of compounds called phytoestrogens found soya.
|
Vitamin E
|
Helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes by acting as an antioxidant.
|
Soya, corn and olive oil, almonds.
|
Zinc
|
May help to protect, soothe and heal skin. May help with conditions such as dermatitis.
|
Milk, shellfish, dairy and cereal products.
|
Other common beauty ingredients that occur naturally in foods and are often added to topical lotions include a group of antioxidants called carotenoids. Of these the ones with the greatest alleged beauty benefits are lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. As ingredients for promoting beauty they achieve this through the promotion of healthy vision, protection of the skin against UV radiation and its adverse effects on skin health and appearance. They are also antioxidants that mop up the free radicals that cause DNA damage.
