How your skin looks can be an indication of your overall health. Clear, glowing skin is often indicates a healthy body. On the other hand, wrinkles, dry or oily skin or acne may be a sign of poor health. Eating a healthful diet will not only help ward off potential help problems, but it will also promote healthy skin.
Fruits
According to a CBS News story published April 30, 2005, eating foods high in lycopene, the pigment that gives fruits their red coloring, helps keep skin healthy. These fruits include tomatoes, watermelon, guava and pink grapefruit. Tomatoes are also low in calories and high in fiber and are a good source of vitamins E, A, K and C. Watermelons, with 13 mg of lycopene, are a good choice because not only do they keep your skin healthy, they are one of the 15 fruits with the lowest amount of pesticide residue. Grapefruit, which is also rich in vitamin C, has 17 mg of lycopene.
Vegetables
Many vegetables contain beta carotene, a form of vitamin A that helps protect the skin from sun damage. Beta carotene is found in yellow, orange and red foods, such as sweet potatoes, carrots and peppers. The beta carotene found in these foods also helps protect against lung and colon cancers and arthritis and may help improve eyesight. Red peppers are also a good source of vitamin B6, while green peppers contain healthy amounts fiber, folate and vitamin K.
Fish
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids help keep your skin soft and improve your skin by reducing the body's production of inflammatory substances and decreasing clogged pores. Some of the of the best sources of these healthy fats are salmon, mackerel and snapper. These foods are also a good source of protein, niacin and vitamin B12. They also contain the essential minerals phosphorus and magnesium and vitamin B6.
Nuts
Foods rich in vitamin E will also give your skin a boost. According to the Acne Resource Center, vitamin E may help skin recover from acne scarring and reduce the appearance of scars left by acne. Nuts rich in this vitamin include peanuts, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts.
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