We’re lucky to be living in a time where there are products available at our fingertips for almost every single beauty problem. If you wake up with dark circles, hide them with concealer. Thin hair? A quick blow dry and spritz of hairspray usually does the trick.
But what if we could fix our beauty dilemmas without products? We’re told beauty comes from within, which I always assumed was a metaphor for being nice or having a great personality. But apparently there’s real truth in the saying, with some foods having beautifying benefits. Here are some common beauty problems and what you need to eat to solve them.
Dark under eye circles
Eat: Spinach
Why: One of the common reasons for dark circles under the eyes is poor circulation. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach contains vitamins K and C, which helps to boost circulation and strengthen capillary walls.
Weak or thinning hair
Eat: Whole grains
Why: Whole grains are a great source of silica, which reduces hair breakage and is a great source of zinc. Whole grains such as brown rice and oats are also rich in essential B vitamins including biotin (B7), which can alleviate hair loss and brittle hair.
Dry skin
Eat: Avocado & nuts
Why: Avocados are a great source of vitamins C, E, and monounsaturated fats, which help your skin lock in moisture. Nuts contain similar vitamins and fats but are also full of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which hydrate your skin, promote its elasticity, help regenerate cells, and protect against pollutants and free radicals.
Stained teeth
Eat: Crunchy fruits & vegetables
Why: Eating meals with crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, celery and carrots can help to whiten teeth. The abrasiveness of crunchy foods removes bacteria and lifts stains from your teeth, giving them a post-meal clean.
Top tip: You should also avoid dark coloured drinks and add milk to your tea and coffee to lessen their staining effect.
Wrinkles
Eat: Oily fish & blueberries
Why: Oily fish is chock full of omega-3 fatty acids which prevents dehydration and boosts the skin’s collagen production to protect against fine lines and wrinkles. Blueberries are said to have 40 percent more antioxidant capacity than strawberries and are high in Vitamin C, which can help strengthen collagen formation.
Acne
Eat: Garlic
Why: Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce the swelling and inflammation of pimples while its blood cleansing, immune boosting and antibacterial properties help to fight against bacteria.
Weak nails
Eat: Eggs
Why: Eggs are a great source of protein, which is essential for healthy nail growth. They are also rich in biotin (B7), which can help to improve the strength and firmness of nails.
Bad breath
Eat: Celery
Why: Celery is great for improving bad breath because you have to chew it a lot, meaning it has a fair bit of time to remove any remnants of other food. And the more you chew, the more saliva you produce, which kills the bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath.
Are any of these foods in your daily diet? Do you prefer a natural solution for beauty problems instead of using product?
