Experts say that while aging is a natural and inevitable process, what we eat has a huge impact on the health and appearance of our skin. Many doctors recommend including some superfoods in your diet to keep your skin looking young and healthy after 50.
We sat down with dermatologists to discover three powerful superfoods that can help improve skin's beauty. These foods increase collagen levels and promote anti-aging, giving us the healthy skin we dream of.
Read on to learn more about avocados, tomatoes, and egg whites, as well as tips and insights from Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and author of My Psoriasis Group.
1. Avocado
Chacon Avocado is a "superfood for glowing skin" for all ages, especially mature beauties. He recommends "eating it as a meal or a delicious salad." She also explains that they are incredibly rich in vitamin E and healthy fats. "You can eat avocados to protect yourself from aging and sun damage," she said. Some avocados can make your skin "brighter and younger," she continues, when they're "reduced and green."
Your skin's collagen is restored by the vitamin A in avocados, he adds. Avocados are a source of monounsaturated fat, which "helps you feel fuller longer and makes it harder to overeat because they fill you up," she says, adding that it can help promote overall health and weight loss. Goals too. "I recommend eating half to a whole avocado every day," she says. Using avocado oil in cooking and skin care is also a great way to reap the benefits of this fruit.
2. Tomato
If you're wondering about an affordable superfood to add to your diet for skin health, Chacon recommends tomatoes. "Tomatoes are a wonderful ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes," she added. She explains that they are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, which "contributes to some of this."
Lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes, "helps the skin protect itself from UV rays and double collagen production," Chacon continues. Rich in vitamin C, tomatoes "must be included in the diet of people looking for foods that are good for the skin." "You can get a lot of vitamins and minerals by eating tomatoes every day," she says. They're also super easy to add to salads, breakfast dishes, and more.
3. Egg white
Collagen and other skin-friendly amino acids occur naturally in egg whites, Chacon says. "Collagen is a key ingredient in preventing fine lines and wrinkles, and this natural egg white collagen supply is thought to help your body synthesize collagen naturally."
When it comes to sagging skin, egg white collagen "increases elasticity, reduces fine lines and crow's feet around the eyes and face," she says. As for how much to eat per day, Chacon says, "In general, eating up to seven eggs a week" is good for the skin, "and not bad for the heart." Some of his patients "skip the yogurt and prefer to eat only the egg whites," which still contain some protein but no cholesterol. The more you know!