Top 3 Antioxidant Nutrients: The Secret to Youthful Skin
by Amy Ho
27 Sept 2019
Beauty comes from within, and based on this article, we mean it literally. Over the years, countless research has shown the link between nutrition and human skin. When you’re attacked by molecules known as free radicals, your skin ages faster. One of the few ways to fight free radicals and slow down the ageing process is by partaking a diet rich in antioxidant.
While many superfoods contain high antioxidant properties, there are a few antioxidant nutrients which are specifically beneficial to the ageing skin. We’ve put together a list so you know what to look out for!
1. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
Primary dietary sources: fresh fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, blackcurrant, rose hip, guava, chilli pepper or parsley.
A key player in the body’s natural collagen synthesis, vitamin C is the star ingredient when it comes to dealing with ageing skin. But there’s more to it than just collagen production. When you take vitamin C orally, it also helps boost the effectiveness of the sunscreen applied to your skin, allowing better protection from harmful UV rays - the main culprit of premature ageing.
2. Vitamin E (tocopherols & tocotrienols)
Primary dietary sources: vegetable oils like wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and seeds, corn, soy and certain types of meat such as abalone and goose meat.
Vitamin E helps retain youthful skin by neutralising the negative effects of free radicals. Similar to vitamin C, it absorbs UVB light—the nasty spectrum of sunlight that’s responsible for burning and ageing skin. Put the two vitamins together and you get an unstoppable anti-ageing combo.
3. Polyphenols
Primary dietary sources: fruits and plant-derived beverages such as fruit juices, tea, coffee, and red wine.
This antioxidant fighter works by combining themselves with the free radicals in your body to prevent them from harming your healthy cells. A study published in the “Journal of Nutrition” found that by increasing the intake of polyphenols, users experienced greater blood flow and oxygen to the skin, increasing their skin elasticity, roughness, density, and so on which contributes to radiant, younger-looking skin.
Eating a wide range of healthy foods help to slow down the process and keeps us healthy both internally and externally. However, ageing is an inevitable process of the human body. No matter what happens to your body as you age, always remember to love yourself.
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