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You’ve probably been told, or at least heard time and time again, how important it is to eat your greens. Yes, a balanced diet is the key to a long and healthy life, but there’s much more to green veggies than boosting your immune system and helping with weight loss.
It’s no secret that greens are packed with nutrients that strengthen your body on the inside, but consuming them regularly can also improve your appearance on the outside, resulting in healthier hair, nails, and of course, skin. When it comes to skincare, it’s not just about what you put on your skin; it’s also just as important to treat your body well on the inside.
So let’s go over all those nourishing greens that will give you that envious healthy glow.
Five Green Veggies for Amazing Skin
1. Arugula
The darker the greens, the more nutritious they are. But what exactly does arugula offer in terms of improving your complexion? What many don’t know (including me up until today) is that arugula is extremely high in sulfur, which also just so happens to be one of the most abundant minerals in the body that aid in collagen. Collagen, as you already might know, tightens and keeps your skin elastic to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Avocados
Although technically a fruit, avocados definitely had to be included in the list. Avocado oil and extract are common ingredients in skincare products for a very good reason, and that’s because they are filled with a bunch of vitamins and antioxidants that are great for your skin overall. The vitamins include C, E and K, where vitamin C helps with collagen production; vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties and support skin health; and vitamin K reduces the appearance of bruises and stretch marks, as well as speeds of skin healing.
Vitamin E has a ton of antioxidants, which protect your skin from free radicals or environmental stressors. Additionally, the vitamin E also helps to moisturize your hair.
3. Broccoli
Vitamin A is another one of those nutrients known for its skin benefits, which broccoli is packed with, along with vitamin C. When applied topically, it’s great for its anti-aging properties, but when consumed, it helps with skin cell growth, helping your skin heal faster as well as renew the dead cells with new ones to boost skin radiance. It also protect against damage from sun exposure. Moreover, broccoli has zinc, which is said to help with acne, skin inflammation and wound healing.
Lutein is a cartenoid found in broccoli, which protects skin from oxidative damage like dryness and wrinkling.
And next time you snap the florets off the broccoli, don’t. The florets have sulforaphane, a special compound that might help prevent skin cancer and further protect your skin against the sun.
4. Kale
If there was one veggie out there that could be dubbed as nature’s multivitamin, it would be kale. It’s one of the greens with the highest amount of vitamins A and C, which we all know by now are essential in skin health in general.
Kale also is high in fiber content, which aids in digestion, and better digestion means it effectively absorbs all the skin beneficial nutrients. Additionally, kale is rich in the detoxifying antioxidant chlorophyll, which together with the fiber, helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
5. Spinach
Spinach has a lot of vitamin A, but it also has several B vitamins, which all have different benefits that are no only great for your skin, but are also wonderful for your hair, making your locks longer, stronger and shinier.
Spinach has high levels of iron as well. Iron in your blood increases the oxygen intake of your hair and skin, and when there’s an iron deficiency, it may result in damage, dryness, and potentially hair loss.
And lastly, spinach contains omega-3 fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory, keeping your skin clear, on top of moisturizing and restoring the lipid layer of your tresses.
While veggies may not be your favorite food, their benefits should be motivation enough to incorporate into your diet. Besides, there isn’t anyone out there that can say they don’t want clear, glowing skin.
For more beauty tips, feel free to check out all of our skincare guides and reviews.
Sheena is the lead fashion writer here at Pretty Me Philippines and has contributed articles for numerous lifestyle blogs and online publications. Other than keeping up with the latest trends, she loves baking and home DIY projects.
