The Best Foods for a Healthy Skin Diet

Why do you need a healthy skin diet? Most people do not give a second thought about a healthy skin diet. "You are what you eat," as the old saying goes. What you put in your body also affects the skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body. If you do not eat a healthy skin diet, it shows on the outside. Here are a few foods to eat for a healthy skin diet.

Water

Water is often neglected as part of a healthy skin diet. Water keeps the skin hydrated and smooth. It helps to remove harmful toxins from the body. Caffeine and alcohol do not count toward hydration. They dehydrate the skin and absorb important nutrients. Try to reduce or eliminate them. Water is needed to make sweat and to clear skin. Hard water is more plentiful in minerals than soft water. Drinking 6-8 glasses a day is recommended.

Green Tea

Green tea is an old remedy used to treat many ailments. If you do not like water, it is a good substitute. The anti-inflammatory properties in green tea protect cell membranes. Studies show it can reduce the UV ray damage. Drink a minimum of two or three cups due to the caffeine. Try to drink decaffeinated when possible.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are a basic element of a healthy skin diet. Whole grains include specific breads, oats, rice, and cereals. These are rich in B complex vitamins. B vitamins are required for cell growth and guard against skin infections. Whole grains contain high anti-oxidants and are plentiful in fiber. Fiber is needed to remove toxins and detoxify the skin.

Strawberries, Blueberries, Plums, Blackberries

Any fruits are beneficial to a healthy skin diet. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and plums just happen to have the highest anti-oxidant content. They protect the skin from free radicals and make the skin look younger. Eating anti-oxidant foods can help reduce the damage from UV rays. The Vitamin C is needed for collagen production, which holds skin tissues together. There are several ways to include them in you diet. Use them in fruit salads and sprinkle them on cereals.

Low Fat Dairy Products

Vitamin A is essential for a healthy skin diet. It is abundant in low-fat dairy products. The skin cells depend on Vitamin A. It is also known to prevent wrinkling and reduce acne. Low fat yogurt and sweet acidophilus assist digestion and has a beneficial effect on the skin. Use caution when eating food rich in Vitamin A. Overdoses can be toxic and cause serious trouble like liver damage.

Salmon, Canola Seed Oil

You may wonder what these items have in common. Each of them contain essential fatty acids. Many fad diets tell you to eliminate fats from your diet. The truth is you need a certain amount of good fat or essential fatty acids like Omega 3 and omega 6. Essential fatty acids serve as a passageway for nutrients to cross into cells and healthy cell membranes. Healthy cell membranes make the skin plump. Essential fatty acids have been shown to reduce cancer. Omega 6 is usually plentiful in the daily diet. Omega 3 can't be produced by the body so it must come from other sources. Two helpings of salmon give the recommend 200 mg. Limit oils to two tablespoons daily.

These are a few foods needed for a healthy skin diet and over-all health. Many skin problems can be alleviated by eating healthier foods. Gradually start including them in your diet for