The human body is amazing in its ability to use as many nutrients from your diet as it can. Different physical attributes such as your hair and skin benefit from specific vitamins and other digestible items. Some foods are even unexpectedly good for your skin—read more about them below.
Coffee
Your daily coffee shop runs may have been more fruitful than you thought. Coffee is a great natural source of chlorogenic acid, which reduces inflammation, and melanoidin, which blocks some of the effects of UV rays. This combination also slightly helps collagen production to give your skin a more hydrated look. The important thing is to drink coffee in moderation, as it’s not a very hydrating drink.
Chocolate
You didn’t read that wrong: with its high concentrations of cacao, dark chocolate does wonders for the skin. The antioxidants in this ingredient maintain hydration in the skin and smooths the texture of skin over time. You can more realistically obtain these effects when you mix dark chocolate with your foods at least once a day. If you want to maintain your skin’s health, look for a package of dark chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cacao.
Fatty Fish
For the sushi-lovers out there, it’s time to rejoice. Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which maintain your skin’s health. These acids afford your skin many benefits, such as reducing inflammation and acne redness. Salmon and tuna specifically are also good sources of vitamin E, which offers benefits similar to those of the melanoidin in coffee.
Honey
Cleopatra was ahead of the game when she decided to bathe in milk and honey to retain her beauty. Honey is used in several products in numerous industries for its natural benefits to the skin. Honey is an amazing treat that you can also apply directly to the skin for its antibacterial benefits. Raw honey, which hasn’t been pasteurized, offers many natural vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids. For this reason, making a mask or face wash out of it has a number of great benefits to help you out.
Just because a food is tasty doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad for you or your skin. A majority of foods made with natural ingredients are bound to have at least one or two positive benefits. By considering a few of these foods that are unexpectedly good for your skin, you’ll be able to enjoy some of your everyday favorites even more.