5 Foods For Glowing Skin

By Maria Marlow

Who doesn’t want a glowing, radiant complexion?

While most people think gorgeous skin is the result of a special skin care routine, the truth is our dietary habits can have even more of an effect.

Skin, after all, is an organ, and our body uses it to release toxins.

Processed foods can zap its luster, while the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in fresh produce can illuminate our skin from within.

Here are 5 foods that can help boost the clarity and radiance of your skin:

Pumpkin Seeds

Another seed with a powerful skin-beautifying effect, pumpkin seeds get their power from both the beauty mineral, zinc, and essential fatty acids including omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9. Like hemp seeds, they help reduce inflammation in the body. Try them sprinkled on salads, in smoothies, or simply by the handful.

Arugula

This dark, leafy green is an excellent source of two of the keys to gorgeous skin: Vitamin A and sulfur. The chlorophyll in arugula is a potent detoxifier, too.
Try a raw arugula salad topped with the rest of the foods on this list for a delicious dish that will get your skin glowing.
 

Radishes

Raw food advocate David Wolfe claims these are one of the most beautifying of all foods. Radishes contain a number of minerals and compounds that benefit the skin. They are high in sulfur, silicon, and Vitamin C, which work together to create glowing skin by boosting collagen, strengthening skin, and stimulating the circulatory system

Slice radishes into salads, or have as a snack on their own or with a dip.

Avocados

This creamy fruit delivers a healthy dose of vitamins on its own. Even better: when you pair avocado with a carotenoid-rich food, such as tomatoes, carrots, or bell peppers, it can help you absorb up to five times more of the antioxidants lycopene and beta carotene.

Hemp Seeds

These tiny little seeds are composed of a massive amount of protein, including the sulfur-bearing amino acids: methionine, cysteine, and cystine, which are used to build strong hair, nails, muscle, and skin.
They also have the ideal ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids (1:3), and even include omega 9, which are all strong antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the cause of many of our skin woes, including blemishes and wrinkles, so adding hemp seeds to your diet can help reduce or prevent those skin issues.
Enjoy them on their own, sprinkled in salads, or blended in smoothies.