The Buttery Fruit That Fights Skin Aging . . Get smoother, younger looking skin by eating more of this sweet, buttery-textured fruit: papaya. Research shows that eating a diet high in carotenoid-rich foods -- like papaya -- helps boost peoples defenses against the suns damaging rays. And that helps skin fight off wrinkles. Best Face Forward In a study of people between the ages of 40 and 50, those who had the highest skin levels of carotenoids had the smoothest, youngest looking complexions. Their furrows and wrinkles were not as numerous or as deep. And researchers speculate that it was because of the high antioxidant value of the carotenoids circulating in the bloodstreams of the younger looking group. Carotenoids are a family of antioxidants that include body helpers like beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin -- just to name a few. C Is for Carotenoid Carotenoids are found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, so papaya isnt your only source of skin-protective nutrients. Mangoes and cantaloupe are good sources. So are tomatoes, watermelon, and grapefruit. And youll want to get your fill, because your body uses carotenoids not only to maintain healthy skin but also to boost immunity along with eye and heart health. But because carotenoids perform so many functions -- and because everyday things like stress, illness, lack of sleep, and sun exposure can sap your levels — you need to eat a whole bunch of fruits and vegetables every day.
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 11:25:27 +0000