Improving your diet does not necessarily have to require a radical upheaval of your entire lifestyle, but rather, it can simply mean incorporating certain foods or drinks into your daily routine. With more and more people developing food allergies to things like gluten, lactose, peanuts and shellfish, it is no surprise that the new diets emerging each year are becoming more extreme.
Our natural instinct when dealing with allergies is to stay as far away from the food in question as is humanly possible. This, however, may not always be the best course of action. According to the National Institute of Health, sometimes the best way to prevent a peanut allergy is early exposure: “the [NIH] guidelines suggest that parents should introduce most babies to peanut-containing foods around the time they begin eating their solid foods”. However, an official medical test is recommended for high-risk infants when it comes to allergies.
Bearing that in mind, it is important to try new foods and incorporate new items into your daily routine. Take the latest food trends and hype with a pinch of salt and find what works best for you and your body. Allergies aside, as soon as something is not right, it will quickly become evident and issues with digestion, skin, hair, weight, etc. may arise. Our below guide provides some inspiration on which foods to incorporate into your diet and how they may improve your appearance.
Shellfish against graying
Shellfish are considered a real delicacy worldwide: oysters in Ireland, crab in Alaska, mussels in Brussels and lobster from Maine. Not only is shellfish extremely delicious, but it also has various health benefits. Generally speaking, shellfish are low in fat and cholesterol and high in protein, omega 3 and zinc. Protein is known to improve heart health, strengthen bones and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Both omega 3 and zinc are known for their positive effects on skin and hair, in fact, both are supposed to slow down the graying process. For those keen on hiding their gray hair, dying your hair is always an option, but these natural techniques for preventing graying are always an easy and healthy way to go about it first.
Brazil nuts for better skin
Everyone strives for radiant skin and while some people just have it naturally, others have to work hard for it. Both young and old can suffer from acne, and it’s not until you have it that you realize how lucky one is to have good skin. While there are heaps of different theories on what product is best to use on your face but another approach is to look at what you can eat to improve your skin. Often with acne, the inflammation of the spots themselves is what draws the most attention to them. In order to counteract this, foods with a high selenium content are recommended – such as brazil nuts. Selenium acts as an antioxidant and is known to protect against heart disease, boost the immune system and may prevent mental decline.
Berries for anti-aging
Berries are one of the tastiest ways to up your fruit intake. One of their biggest health benefits comes down to the fact that they contain antioxidants, which help fight inflammation. Not only that, but they are also known to improve the immune system, they are good for the brain, and they lower blood pressure. Raspberries in particular contain anthocyanin, an antioxidant that may protect against cancer. Ellagic acid is yet another antioxidant that can be found in many berries such as raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. It is known for preventing collagen destruction, reducing inflammation induced by UV-B irradiation and it is supposed to prevent wrinkle formation.