We have been told to eat our “green” vegetables since childhood… but why? What is the benefit to our skin (and bodies), and why can’t we just use products instead to solve our skin issues?
For a start – no matter how amazing your skin care routine is, if you are continually putting your body and skin under stress – with a poor diet, environmental exposure and physical/emotional stresses – your products will have to work double time to restore a healthy balance to your skin. Having internal health really will make your skin glow and your energy levels soar!
Leafy greens are high in Vitamin K; this plays an essential role in blood clotting, preventing excessive bleeding. Inadequate Vitamin K is also related to cardiovascular disease and bone fragility. If you have trouble with hyperpigmentation and thinning skin (perhaps you notice it under your eyes) – consider what you are eating that can help!
Did you know your leafy greens – particularly Kale – are rich in Lutein? As well as being amazing for our eye health Lutein is a super antioxidant that helps to fight free-radicals and increases our skins natural protection from UV sun damage! Not only that it helps with skin hydration and elasticity. Overall it protects our healthy cells from damage while halting the growth of malignant cells… wow, yes please! As well as leafy greens – consider; broccoli, beans, brussels sprouts, corn, eggs, papayas and oranges.
Folate is an extremely important nutrient that plays a role in DNA repair; high levels of folate are found in our dark leafy greens, such as spinach. DNA damage can occur from what is known is Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), most commonly known as free radicals. They can cause DNA mutations which can affect our skin, leading to disorders. Help your body fight the “free radical” bombardment by starting with what’s in your gut! As well as dark leafy greens – consider; asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruits, beans, peas and lentils, avocado, okra, brussels sprouts, seeds and nuts, cauliflower, beets, corn, celery, carrots and squash… with so many options to choose from there is really no excuse!
B
roccoli is another green that is packed with Vitamins and nutrients, one Vitamin that it is particularly high in is Vitamin C. We all know that Vitamin C is good for us, but what exactly does it do in the body? Vitamin C helps to repair and rebuild collagen and elastic fibres in the skin and around our organs. It is one of the essential Vitamins for producing our skin and our hair. It also has antioxidant qualities, meaning that it fights off free radicals that can damage our skin. So, what is your new best friend? If you love the idea of rebuilding collagen (age fighting at its best) then make Vitamin C a priority! As well as broccoli – consider; brussels sprouts, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi fruit, papaya and bell peppers!
If you’re not a poultry or seafood eater – by eating your daily greens, you are also getting your daily dose of Vitamin B. As Vitamin B is water soluble, it isn’t stored in the body. This means that we need get it through our diet daily rather than now and then. B Vitamins provide the body with the energy to convert carbohydrates into glucose. This energy is needed for every cell in our body… including our skin cells! Note: combine with Vitamin C for optimal absorption.
Vitamin A is something you’ve heard us rave about for a long time… did you realise your dark leafy greens are giving you your internal Vitamin A boost also! Vitamin A boosts your immune function and is a powerful antioxidant – on top of keeping our eyes and bones healthy… As well as spinach and other leafy greens – consider; carrots, pumpkin, meat and squash to meet your Vitamin A needs.
Keep in mind when you eat your leafy greens that you often need a little fat to help absorb your vitamin in leafy greens, so consider adding some extra olive oil to your salads or eat them with a meal that includes low-fat milk or cheese.
The list continues, but hopefully this is enough to convince you to ENSURE you have leafy greens in your diet every week if not every day for your body’s well-being!!!
If you really aren’t interested in changing your diet, you can always try a superfood supplement instead – such as the Miessence Vitality Pack as a way to start getting all the best nutrients into your daily diet…
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