When talking about skin health, there are quite some factors like Diet, Stress, Environmental changes, Lifestyle, that affect skin health. We cannot control the environmental factors or the stress, but we surely can start making changes in the lifestyle and diet. When talking about diet or food for skin health, the food that has been gaining a lot of attention these days is Strawberries. It can be used both internally through the diet as well as externally (Topical application) to improve skin health.
Strawberry is a Low Calorie and Low Carb fruit. These are a very rich source of antioxidants, Vitamin C and a good source of Vitamins, fibers, manganese, potassium. The presence of these nutrients helps the skin in the below ways.
1. The dietary fibers present in strawberries help to eliminate the toxins from the body. Other than this, fibers also help to manage digestive health by preventing constipation which if not taken care of might lead to pimples.
2. Ellagic Acid in strawberries helps to prevent wrinkles on the skin. As it is an antioxidant, it helps to retain the collagen and protects the skin against UV damage.
3. Vitamin C present in Strawberries helps to nourish the skin and revitalize it. The acidic nature of Strawberries helps to remove excessive oil from the skin which might be a cause for pimples.
4. Salicylic Acids present in strawberries helps to tighten the skin pores and helps to remove the dead cells from the skin.
5. The Alpha Hydroxy Acids present in the strawberries helps to cleanse the skin
6. Ellagic Acid with Salicylic Acid for skin helps to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
7. The Anthocyanins and Lycopene present in strawberries also help to delay aging.
8. The Antioxidants present in strawberries help in reducing inflammation, which might be a reason for skin rash or pimples.
Other than these effects on the skin, Strawberries also help in maintaining digestive health, helps to manage the pressure levels, helps to improve heart health, and also helps in weight management.
You can include these power-packed fruits in the form of a fruit, smoothies, jams, jellies, icecreams, popsicles and more. The processing of strawberries might affect their nutritional content. Also, jams/ jellies might require a lot of sugar to be added to it which might affect the health. Hence it is better to be consumed as a whole fruit, as recommended by experts as well.
Other than diet, what is also important is to manage stress by meditating regularly. Avoid the habit of smoking if any. Exercise regularly. Use good skin products, keep yourself hydrated.
Strawberries can also be applied to the skin directly (rub a slice of Strawberry directly to the skin in a circular motion and let it stay for 10-15 mins and wash the face) or can be made into a skin mask (Can be combined with honey, lemon or yogurt, applied to the face and wash after 15 mins).
Next time when you plan to include the seasonal fruits in the diet, do not forget to add these nutritionally rich fruits to the routine to see a visible difference in skin health.
