Healthy looking skin is something we all strive for, however, quality skincare products aren’t the only solution, there’s good food for good skin too! Whether you’re seeking out younger-looking skin secrets or foods for glowing skin and hair, we have it covered!
Eating for good skin has never been easier, here are 4 simple steps to achieve healthy skin from the inside out…
1. Healthy foods for dry skin
Did you know that omega 3 fats line every cell membrane within the body and are responsible for keeping our skin soft, supple and glowing? Our body cannot manufacture these fats, therefore, we need to include them within our diet on a regular basis. They have anti-inflammatory properties and may help even help to improve the appearance of skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Healthy fats for skin include oily fish, which is our top source of omega 3, but if you struggle to eat plain fish for skin health, you can make this far more exciting and delicious with healthier no added sugar sauces and glazes, including teriyaki or sweet chilli salmon! Make this simple switch by replacing sugar with Canderel® Sugarly for a lower calorie dish with all the skin benefits.
If following a vegan diet, chia or flax seeds will be your top source of healthy fats for skin. Try adding chia seeds to coconut milk with a few drops of Canderel® Zero or baking flax seeds muffins with ® granules for a deliciously sweet skin health boost.
2. For signs of ageing
Can you eat for younger-looking skin? It is now being said that excess sugar can be as ageing as smoking! The reason for this is that excess sugar within the diet can result in a damaging process called glycation. This is where sugar molecules permanently bond to protein molecules forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs can affect the skin by reducing its elasticity – a key factor in ageing and sagging skin.
However, it’s not all sugar that we need to be cautious of; the current guidelines are to consume no more than 30g free sugar per day which equates to just 2 tbsp honey. Other free sugars include fruit juice and added sugar such as caster sugar, maple syrup and even coconut sugar! If you’re looking to reduce your intake without compromising on that sweet flavour, then try adding Canderel® tablets in your tea or coffee and use Canderel® Sugarly for sprinkling on cereal, yoghurt and in baking!
3. Healthy foods for acne
A diet which is high in sugar may also have a high glycemic load and whilst diet won’t necessarily be the cause of acne, there is emerging research to suggest that certain dietary patterns may exacerbate symptoms.
When it comes to acne and health, the strongest dietary association to date is to do with something called the glycemic load. The glycemic load is a number which indicates how quickly a food is digested and how quickly it will raise blood sugar levels. Foods with a high glycemic load have a larger effect on blood sugar levels in comparison to foods with a low glycemic load. Foods with a high glycemic load can in turn raise hormones such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). These hormones can increase androgen production and increase oil production on the skin which is a common trigger for acne.
Foods with a high glycemic load include sugary sweets, biscuits, cakes, sweetened beverages, fruit juice, honey, maple syrup and other sugars, as well as dried fruit. However, there’s no need to cut out all of the sweet stuff. There are certainly healthy snacks for acne-prone skin but why not try making your own favourite baked treats with Canderel® Sweetely, or add Canderel® granules to your morning tea instead of sugar.
4. A diet for glowing skin
What are the best things to eat for glowing skin? Orange fruit and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, and mango, but also dark green leafy vegetables like spinach are particularly rich in a plant pigment called beta-carotene. This antioxidant is the precursor to vitamin A, an essential nutrient needed for the production of healthy skin cells. This critical vitamin can also help to keep our skin firm and healthy and without it our skin can become dry. Whilst beta-carotene rich foods shouldn’t replace your daily sun cream, research does suggest that this antioxidant may help to protect our skin cells from UV rays, which is a primary trigger for ageing.
