You really can fight wrinkles from the inside out. And there's a fruit that can lead the charge.
It's papaya. What makes papaya so perfect? Easy. Vitamin C.
Papaya has loads of it, and getting lots of vitamin C may mean more youthful skin -- fewer wrinkles and less thinning and dryness. A recent study in women over 40 confirmed it.
The Mysteries of C
Vitamin C is a natural friend to skin. The nutrient is essential for making collagen, the protein fibers that give skin its strength and resiliency. And being a powerful antioxidant, C also disarms free radicals that would otherwise chip away and weaken collagen. (Did you know? Vitamin C helps protect skin from this sun scourge, too.)
More Food for Your Face
A little extra vitamin C isn't all it takes to plump your complexion. Here are a few more food tips that can help keep your face fresh:
Munch on walnuts. In the vitamin C study, researchers also noted that diets rich in linoleic acid -- an essential fatty acid in walnuts -- meant moister, plumper skin.
(Walnuts make your heart happy too: When walnuts are part of a healthful diet, they help lower your bad cholesterol -- that sticky blood-fat that clogs your arteries and boosts your risk of a heart attack. It's the fat in walnuts that does such great things for your heart. The nuts are particularly rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an
omega-3 fatty acid with cardioprotective properties. Walnuts are loaded with other good-for-you nutrients, too, including vitamin E, folate, and fiber.)
Ease up on hydrogenated and trans fats and refined carbs. Scientists found both were linked to aging skin—just ONE the dark sides to processed food.
Think whole grains. The magnesium and B vitamins you get from them help with the regeneration of skin cells.
Keep the fruits and veggies coming. To stay smooth and healthy, your skin needs a whole slew of antioxidant-rich produce. For instance, our skin LOVES carrots:
The crunchy snack and Bugs Bunny prop is loaded with vitamin A -- a good-for-your-eyes antioxidant that appears to be great for skin, too. It helps balance the pH of the skin's surface, making it slightly acidic. That's good news, because slightly acidic skin fends off bacterial invaders.
And be sure to get plenty of water. Skin is hydrated from the inside out—save a bundle on those expensive skin hydrating creams and eat well and drink your water (10 eight-ounce glasses is the general recommendation).
