Top 5 foods that are sure to give your skin the glow it needs.

We all dream of having flawless, glowing skin, but with new skin care products continually hitting the shelves and the seemingly endless YouTube skincare advice on the internet; it’s not always easy to figure out soundproof ways to have flawless skin. We know health starts from within and factors such as how we feel, what we think and what we eat can all affect the surface of our skin. Bewaji Adeniji will be highlighting five foods that are sure to to give your skin that natural glow it deserves. FOOD FIVE.png 2021, what a year it has been thus far. We may still be in the first half of it but I feel like so much has already happened in my life that I get the feeling that I’m ageing a lot quicker than I used to. Christmas and New Year holidays (feels like yesterday) had me filled with lovely, lazy moments of just sitting in front of the TV and eating all kinds of cheeky things. I was determined to not let 2020 be a total loss and enjoy the last bit of it by consuming all I saw insight. And I mean all…from fried goodness to artificial sugars, to all kinds of dairy! I was in junk and unhealthy food heaven and I loved every minute of it. That is until I started breaking out and my new favourite place was the bathroom in the attempt to fix all my skin blemish woes. What I discovered on my skin journey (your girl undertook some serious research) is if you are working towards radiant and glowing skin, you might be surprised to know that the answer lies more in your digestive tract rather than in your creams and cleansers (although they cant hurt). Glowing skin reflects a good diet (and if you’re in luck, some good genetics) but bad eating habits can bring about unwanted company from dry skin to bumpy, oil clogged pores. Here are 5 foods (in no particular order) tat we recommend for glowing skin and a happy tummy: Fatty Fishes Fish such as salmon and mackerel, are perfect for healthy skin. They are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids that help to nourish your skin. The omega-3 fats in fish reduce inflammation, which can cause redness and acne. It can even make your skin less sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays as well as a good source of vitamin E, high-quality protein, and zinc. However, be careful of the way you choose to cook your fish, let us keep those fats as healthy as much as possible. 2. AVOCADOS Avocados help in keeping your skin flexible and moisturized as well as protecting your skin from sun damage which reduces the wrinkles you could have over time. It is also a good source of vitamin E and C. Vitamin E helps to give skin a dewy look, and vitamin C stimulates skin’s collagen production and makes your skin smooth, firmer, and free from fine lines. FOOD FOUR.jpg 3. Sweet Potatoes These yummy tubers are a great source of beta carotenes, which functions as provitamin A, meaning it can be converted into vitamin A in your body. It acts as a natural sunblock and interestingly, high amounts of beta carotene may also add a warm, orange colour to your skin giving you an overall healthier look. It helps to prevent premature ageing by its antioxidant activity thereby preventing wrinkles, and thus helping in the prevention of skin cancer. Beta carotene can also be found in oranges and vegetables such as carrots and spinach. 4. Green and Leafy Vegetables Plant-based foods are especially good for your gut as they are the best way to promote the well-being of your health. Vegetables are a high source of vitamins and minerals that help maintain good digestion. They also are a good source of fiber. Fibers help in eradicating the fungus and yeast produced in your body, through excretion. A naturally healthy gut will directly influence your skin’s glow as mentioned before. Be wary though of eating too much fibre your digestive system may have trouble adjusting resulting in gas and bloating. FOOD ONE.jpg 5. Dark Chocolate YES, CHOCOLATE!!! I mean there had to be something that sounds bad for you that is good for your body. The effects of cocoa on your skin are amazing. Taking cocoa, high in antioxidants, can lead to thicker and more hydrated skin. For those with dry skin, this is a blessing as the skin will be less rough and scaly, less sensitive to sunburn, and have better blood flow — which brings more nutrients to your skin. As someone with dry skin, this is gold to me! Keep in mind this all refers to chocolates that are high in antioxidants so you must check. Make sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to maximize the benefits and keep added sugar to a minimum. FOOD TWO.jpg Great skin can do wonders for your confidence. Plus, just knowing you are taking care of it can make you feel better about your skin long term. Of course, the skin is a complicated organ, so even if you eat perfectly you may experience skin flare-ups triggered by other concerns which are fine. Till next time…as I munch away on my pizza with my face mask on. bewaji.jpg About the writer:Bewaji is a Business Developer for CT Productions, agent of The Economist in West Africa. When she’s not doing that she focuses on her passion for food through her food business Casa B’Elise (@casa_b.elise). She enjoys all things Afrocentric and Bewaji is also an avid puff puff lover. She is a lover of poetry and music and all things random. You can reach out to her on IG @japhitwoman