10 Foods That Hydrate Your Skin
Food has a huge impact on our overall health. The skin is the largest organ in the body and food can make a big difference to the condition of your skin. As water makes up a large proportion of the body it also plays a vital role in the health of your skin. Drinking enough water is crucial to ensure optimum function of all our organs, including the skin. There are many foods that can also help to keep skin hydrated. Read on to find our more about the best foods for hydrating your skin.
The importance of water
Adequate water is needed in the body in order for all the organs to work at their best, for digestive processes to function optimally, and for our skin to maintain its elastic qualities. Water helps give us energy, ensures blood can move around the body at the right pace, helps burn fat, and reduces our risk of disease. Along with drinking enough water in liquid form with pure water being the best drink, we should also limit our consumption of salt. This is because salt makes the body retain more fluid, which reduces the body’s ability to dispose of toxins properly.
There are many foods which are ideal for ensuring our bodies remain hydrated. Good foods to eat for skin hydration include liquid-based foods, including soup, broth, food cooked in fruit juices or milk and herbal teas. In fact, some foods are almost 100% water, so these are ideal for hydrating the skin. Here are some of the best hydrating foods:
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are made up of 65% water. They are hydrating while being low in calories with just 17 calories contained in the average cucumber. These crunchy salad vegetables contain essential vitamins, such as vitamin C along with the mineral potassium and plenty of fibre. This also makes raw cucumber great for the digestion.
Papaya
Papaya stimulates the metabolism and gives us energy. It is also excellent for the digestion and helps the body repair skin tissue and brighten the complexion. Papaya contains vitamin A which ensures the body’s organs can function well.
Watermelon
Watermelon not only tastes great: it is high in vitamin C and is made up of 92% water. This fruit reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. For best benefits, eat watermelon on an empty stomach.
Apples
Apples contain a large amount of fibre along with some excellent antioxidant properties. They are made from 86% water for great hydration. The nutrients in apples also reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are packed full of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. These salad fruits protect the skin from the sun, help fight aging and reduce blemishes, including acne. Tomatoes are 94% water and typically only have 20 calories. They are also high in potassium, phosphorus and vitamins A and C.
Leafy greens
Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, have 95% water. They are also high in skin-friendly vitamins A and C and contain minerals and antioxidants. Leafy green veggies help the body detoxify by eliminating toxins and impurities. They also help prevent cancer, preserve good eyesight and protect the memory.
Kiwi
Kiwi is made of 83% water and eating one of these green fruits gives you a huge dose of healthy vitamin C. Kiwi is high in fibre and works to regulate blood pressure and reduce cholesterol in the body.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit contain lycopene and high levels of antioxidants, just like tomatoes, both of which help to clear the skin.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is highly beneficial for health as it fights the aging process. It is a good idea to drink coconut water for its skin benefits because it repairs skin cells and stimulates collagen production.
Oranges
Oranges are highly hydrating because they are made of 88% water. These delicious citrus fruits are also rich in potassium, calcium and folic acid, while they contain plenty of vitamin C. All of these nutrients are excellent for skin health and help maintain good hydration levels.
