The collagen-boosting diet
Posted Wednesday, July 28, 2010
There are plenty of in-office treatments and over-the-counter topical products that can help increase collagen, but did you know that your diet can boost this essential anti-aging protein?
Try incorporating more of the following kinds of foods into your meals to support youthful skin.
WATER-RICH VEGETABLES
Vegetables like cucumber and celery have a high sulfur content, which is important in collagen production. Collagen can't be produced if sulfur isn't present.
ORANGE VEGETABLES
Vegetables that are orange in color, like carrots and sweet potatoes, are rich in vitamin A, which restores and regenerates damaged collagen.
RED VEGETABLES
Tomatoes, peppers and beets contain the antioxidant lycopene, which protects skin from damage while increasing collagen levels.
DARK GREEN VEGETABLES
Rich in vitamin C, dark green veggies like spinach and kale can rev up collagen production and protect against free radicals that weaken collagen.
BERRIES
Blackberries and raspberries scavenge free radicals while simultaneously increasing collagen levels.
SOY
Whether sourced from soy milk or tofu, soy contains the antioxidant plant hormone genistein, which prompts collagen production and helps to block MMPs enzymes that can age the skin.
FISH
Tuna and salmon are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Skin cells are surrounded by a fatty membrane that protects them, so when the cells are healthy, they are able to better support the structure of the skin.
WHITE TEA
White tea has been shown to protect the structural proteins of the skin, specifically collagen. It's believed to prevent the enzyme (MMP) breakdown of collagen.
Do you already eat many of these foods? Are you willing to tweak your diet to add more? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
Tags: antioxidants, blackberry, carrot, celery, collagen, cucumber, diet, enzymes, essential fatty acids, fish, free radicals, genistein, kale, lycopene, MMPs, nutrition, omega-3, raspberry, soy, spinach, sulfur, vegetable, vitamin A, vitamin C, white tea, wrinkles