Antioxidant Foods To Improve Your Skin

Everywhere you turn these days, you hear the word "antioxidant." We are urged to eat foods containing antioxidants to prevent disease, and to use antioxidant skin care products to prevent damage to our skin. But what is an antioxidant, really, and what does it do? Oxidation is a normal byproduct of metabolism, but it does cause cell damage and is believed to be the major cause of aging, as well as many diseases. Smoking, excessive use of alcohol, and exposure to sunlight and pollution accelerates the process of oxidation and the production of free radicals.

A free radical is an unstable product of oxidation. It is an atom or a piece of a molecule that is missing an electron, so it steals it from another cell to become stable again. That results in damage to the pilfered cell. Antioxidants are chemical substances that bind with free radicals to prevent that damage. Once it has stabilized a free radical, it can no longer function as an antioxidant, so your supply must be continually replenished. Free radicals are causing irreversible damage to our skin and can cause premature aging, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and acne. Poor diet, stress, sun exposure, pollution, and even common household cleaners can all cause skin damaging free radicals. We simply can’t avoid them.

Our bodies need powerful antioxidants on a daily basis to fight free radicals. Anti-oxidants have a vital role in our health and they also improve our skin appearance. Antioxidants will help with collagen production, which in turn, making it look firmer and younger. Eating foods rich in antioxidants is a great start, but we just can’t and don’t consume enough on a daily basis. We may need a little help with topical treatments such as skin care products. For general health, you can get antioxidants in a wide range of foods.

All about antioxidants:
* They are vitamins and enzymes that help the body to get rid of free radicals, such as tobacco, stress and pollution, that are damaging to the skin.
* They neutralize free radicals – avoiding health problems such as heart disease, cancer, and cataracts.
* Protecting the cells from disease.
* Skin healing. Stimulates collagen production - promotes skin elasticity and regeneration.
* Increases the skin's blood flow and oxygen consumption.
* Helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
* Can be eaten and also applied as a topical treatment (skin care products) to receive full benefits.

Natural antioxidant foods are fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds. The best way to ensure adequate intake of the antioxidants is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables through a diet consisting of 5 to 8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The antioxidants that give fruits and vegetables their color are called carotenoids, and have been found to bestow a number of health benefits, including promoting skin health. These edible anti-oxidants usually consist of vitamins A, C, E and Selenium. Top antioxidant foods to eat is also known as the “Super foods”. The natural antioxidant rich food categories given here are foods that will improve your skin:
1. Fruits - berries, pomegranate, grape, orange, plum, pineapple, kiwi fruit, grapefruit
2. Vegetables - Kale, chili pepper, red cabbage, peppers, parsley, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lemon, ginger, red beets.
3. Dry Fruits - apricots, prunes, dates
4. Legumes - broad beans, pinto beans, soybeans
5. Nuts and seeds - pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, ground nut, sunflower seeds
6. Cereals - barley, millet, oats, corn
7. Spices - cloves, cinnamon, oregano

Though topical antioxidants are known to help heal environmentally damaged skin, some cosmetic studies show that they can do even more, such as slowing down the aging process and preventing wrinkles. Antioxidants are also thought to be helpful in the treatment of acne and other bacterial infections. Whether taken as supplements or applied topically, these antioxidants are especially good for your skin:
*Vitamin A- Known to fight fine lines and wrinkles, Vitamin A can greatly improve the condition of your skin.
*Vitamin C- In addition to protecting the skin from UV damage, Vitamin C also helps the skin by supporting the production of collagen. Products that contain Vitamin C can make your skin appear smoother and firmer.
*Vitamin E- Because it is said to prevent scarring and age spots, Vitamin E can be found in many different lotions and skin care products. Vitamin E also helps your skin retain moisture.

Studies have shown that the skin is the last organ of the body to receive antioxidants from the food and supplements that we eat. This has prompted many skin care companies to develop products with antioxidant ingredients that can be applied directly to the skin. These topical products can help repair and prevent damage caused by sun, wind, temperatures, pollution, etc.