Health and Beauty Benefits of Various Foods

These days, food can seem like an enemy. Someone says a certain food is good for you, and another says the same food is bad for you. The truth is that certain foods can be good for you. These are some of those foods and their benefits.

Olive oil can give you a healthy glow. Olive oil has "good fats" that contain omega-3s. Omega-3s improve your circulation, which in turn leaves your skin rosy.

Cold-water fish can reduce redness in your skin. Fish like mackerel, salmon and sardines also contain omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids strengthen the membranes of your skin cells and can reduce skin inflammation.

Kale and spinach are antioxidant vegetables. The antioxidant compounds in kale and spinach are called phytonutrients, which help protect your skin from sun damage. Spinach also has lutein and beta-carotene. These two nutrients improve the elasticity of the skin.

Pomegranates are loaded with vitamin C, a vitamin that helps protect skin from sun damage. Pomegranates may also help fight the damage that free radicals can cause, as well as help your body preserve collagen.

Blueberries are a powerful antioxidant. Blueberries help prevent skin damage caused by stress, sun exposure and overexercising.

Watermelon can help you maintain a dewy complexion. Watermelon has vitamin C, lycopene, and potassium. This means the fruit helps balance the water and nutrients in your skin cells.

Olives can help improve or maintain general health. This fruit contains calcium, iron and antioxidants. Olives also contain vitamins A, C and E. They even contain phytonutrients and monosaturated fat.

Nuts used to be one of those foods that was bad for you. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Although they're high in fat, nuts have a lot of unsaturated fats (omega-3s) and fiber. Nuts may help improve cholesterol levels and heart health.

Peanut butter is also high in fat, but most of it is monosaturated. It also provides a lot of fiber, vitamin E and protein. Low-fat versions of peanut butter often replace fat with sugar. Other nuts, like cashews, macadamias and almonds are used for nut butters and have less fat.

Chocolate may also be good for you. It contains antioxidants and does not have as much caffeine as some would have you think. Only one third of the fat in chocolate is "bad": one third of the fat is unsaturated, and another third is stearic acid (cholesterol-friendly).

Sources:

http://www.rd.com/channel/food-benefits/
Fitness Magazine, November 2007, page 30