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 According
to the CDC, there are around 25 million visits to dermatologist
offices in the country. The largest organ of the body, skin
weighs in between 6-9 pounds and covers two square yards.
It plays an essential role in the body, providing everything
from protection from viruses to sensing hot and cold, and
even regulating our body temperature. Our skin is also the
most noticeable thing on our bodies, and our diet can have
an impact on whether it looks dull or glowing.
“Our skin says a lot about how healthy we are and what
we are doing when it comes to our diet,” says Chef John
Kuropatwa of Spigola Ristorante. “There are certain foods
that can negatively impact the way it looks and feels, and
some that positively impact it. Those are the foods you want
to concentrate on getting into your regular diet.”
Having skin conditions, or skin that doesn’t appear healthy,
can wreak havoc on our self-esteem. Maintaining a healthy
diet is important to having healthy, glowing skin. Aim for
eating foods that contain a lot of antioxidants, which have
properties that will help protect and heal it. These include:
- Fruits, especially all types of berries, melon,
apples, pears and cherries, all of which offer cell-protecting
antioxidants.
- Vegetables, especially dark, leafy green varieties,
spinach, asparagus, celery, eggplant and onions.
- Legumes, which would include tofu, kidney beans,
chickpeas and other types of beans.
- Fish, especially salmon, which is high in healthy
fatty acids.
- Nuts, including walnuts, and flaxseed, both of which
are good sources of healthy fatty acids.
- Healthy oils for cooking and preparing foods, such
as olive oil.
- Drinking plenty of water each day. Green tea is
another ideal drink because of its high antioxidant
properties which work to reduce inflammation and provide
cell protection.
- Avoiding or limiting things that are believed to
lead to skin conditions, such as sugar, white flour,
high meat and dairy intake, as well as fried foods
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As Kuropatwa says, "It’s amazing how much what
you eat can affect your skin’s look."
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