They say “Black don’t crack” … but guys, Black does crack without vitamins!
Dear Reader,
Don’t be misled by pictures of Gabrielle Union, Halle Berry and Pharrell Williams who still look as youthful as ever! These celebrities have deep wallets to consult with the best nutrition experts and dermatologists their cheques can afford; I am not saying its a bad thing, but it all boils down to what you put in your body. Your fruit intake will leave you looking a million dollars.
I got inspired to write this article because I get a lot of complements and questions about my skin and I thought to share my tips on this and it all boils down to fruits. I have come to realise that when you know the benefits of different fruits, you make your selection based on what you want to achieve. I have some background in nutrition, and it was when I was doing this course that I came across this concept.
Please note that these fruits will not be beneficial to you if you don’t hydrate. Clear skin starts from within, and one of the best, cheapest and most effective ways to get there is to help your body flush out toxins by drinking plenty of water. Your skin will thank you, as did mine.
As you proceed with this article, you’ll see the word ‘antioxidant’ coming up a lot. These guys fight off cell damage that is caused by oxidants. On top of them blessing your skin, they build your resilience from cancer and heart disease. #FightCancer #FightHeartDisease
Without further delay, these are the fruits that I enjoy, and research has also proved to help promote optimal skin care.
1. Bananas
Since they are rich in Vitamin A, B and E, they act as an anti-ageing agent. But since they are also high in starch, avoid eating them in the evening because your body will store the starch as fat since you are not using up that energy at night. If you have something starchy during the day, it will be broken down into energy that you will need to keep you going. You don’t need this in the evening unless you plan to be up late. I have my bananas first thing in the morning combined with some oatmeal and peanuts which gives me a great start. Mario Balotelli would agree! ;-)
2. Apples Galore!
An apple a day keeps a wrinkle away! Major Key Alert. Since apples are high in antioxidant content, they prevent tissue damage and aging. You can get perfectly toned and conditioned skin by mixing using apple extract and honey to create a face mask. Apples have a BLT effect (they Brighten and Lighten your skin). Women’s Health (my best magazine), advise that they are also rich in pectin which is a starch essential that drives away acne. Team Bee anyone?
Apples are perfect to eat in the morning traffic on your way to the office or just before the gym.
3. The Berry family (Strawberries, Blue berries, rasp berries, Cranberries, Bilberries)
.....Let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty of berries.....
Not only are berries jammed with skin clearing antioxidants, but they’re packed with fibre too which is great for staving off hunger pangs. I love to chop them up and spread them on my oatmeal, or whichever cereal you might prefer. As an afternoon snack, I have them with natural yoghurt and sprinkle some cinnamon for a kick. Cinnamon helps with reducing the risk of cancer, fights infections and viruses. The same benefits applies to grapes! :-)
4. Papaya
Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. I am not a huge fan of the taste, so I pour some passion fruit after removing the seeds to create a `papaya canoe’; or blend it with some passion juice. Just like apples, you can also use papaya as a natural exfoliating tonic. Papaya will leave your skin looking spotless!(Soon, I’ll introduce a segment with a photo gallery where I will share with you visuals of how I combine my fruits)
Gorgeous combination I found online :)
5. Avocado
I must say I was late to this party. My younger sister was so obsessed with avocados when we were growing up (she still is). I found it tasteless, and the colour was not enticing in any way. Years later, when I started to eat them after my workouts and as a mid- morning snack, I noticed a huge improvement with my skin. Eating a regular portion of avocado can also improve the skin’s ability to keep itself moisturized. Just like apples and papaya, you can use avocado as a face mask. Check out this gorgeous combination by Christina Rodriguez. Slurp!
Check out her instagram page for details of the recipe and more delicious combinations!
You can thank me later! :-)
6. Mangoes
Amen to this creation. I read somewhere that they are called the 'King of Fruits' because of their ample health benefits. Since they are rich in vitamin-A and antioxidants, they fight against skin aging, regenerate your skin cells and restore the elasticity of skin. This is magic to your skin. I’ll have some please!
All these fruits will leave your skin looking radiant and best part is that they are affordable; except for the berries which tend to cost a little more because they are mostly imported.
Do indulge!
-“Beautiful skin starts with nourishment from within”-
Yours in Wellness,
