We all know that beautiful, healthy, and glowing skin depends upon food choices. Amongst the long list of healthy foods, anti ageing fruits hold a special place because of the many benefits they confer on the skin and overall health. Read through to know more about anti-ageing fruits, their benefits, and the best anti-ageing fruits to indulge in.
What are Anti Ageing Fruits?
Anti-ageing fruits are a category of fruits that are typically rich in antioxidants, nutrients, healthy fats, and water. These fruits can help hydrate the skin, make it supple and youthful, reversing the evident signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Therefore, eating healthy foods, especially fresh fruits, has been a time-tested mantra for healthy skin. But pinning it down to anti-ageing fruits can make your task easier.
Best Anti Ageing Fruits for Skin
Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It covers and protects the body from environmental stressors. Therefore, maintaining it is not an easy task. As the skin is prone to natural ageing, the use of cosmetics and creams will only be partly helpful. The onus lies in eating healthy foods and following an anti-ageing diet. Here are the best fruits for skin:
1.Papaya
Papaya, the spear-shaped fruit, is nutritious and healthy. It is one of the best anti-ageing fruits in India as it is available throughout the year. Papaya is a good source of vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, copper, and vitamin K. One to two cups of papaya per day can prove to be a perfect health booster and a magic potion for the skin. Eating papaya benefits the skin in the following ways:
- Vitamin A in papaya helps remove dead cells.
- Papain, an enzyme present in papaya, restricts the activity of free radicals.
- High antioxidant levels help prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
- Alpha hydroxy acids in papaya aid in the breakdown and removal of dead cells.
- High water content has a great skin-hydrating effect.
- Papain helps slow down the growth of unwanted facial hair.
- Papain helps reduce pigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, and skin patches.
- The high nutritional content in papaya increases collagen production which promotes skin elasticity.
2. Oranges
Best antioxidant fruits for skin? Oranges top the chart. The citrus fruit is a powerhouse of nutrition, especially vitamin C. Just one medium-sized orange a day provides 130% of the day’s vitamin C requirement. This benefits the skin in the following ways:
- Vitamin C plays an important role in the production of collagen, the protein which provides structural support to the skin.
- High antioxidant content fights free radicals in the body. This reduces DNA damage, slowing down the process of ageing.
- The citric acid in oranges helps prevent acne and pimples.
- The fibrous orange peel helps remove blackheads.
- Citric acid reduces skin pigmentation and promotes a lighter skin tone.
- Vitamin C is a natural astringent. It tightens skin pores and improves skin texture.
- The high water content in oranges hydrates the skin.
- Vitamin E in oranges protects the skin from harmful radiations of the sun.
3. Watermelon
Watermelon contains around 92% water and is quite fibrous. The juicy fruit helps refresh the skin by keeping it hydrated. The fruit is also loaded with vitamins and minerals that help slow down the ageing process and aiding in enhancing the overall texture of your skin. Listed below are the ways in which watermelon helps your skin:
- Watermelon contains antioxidants such as lycopene, glutathione, and vitamin C in abundance. These antioxidants combat free radicals and help slow down the skin ageing process.
- Vitamin C can help reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Skin texture can be evened out with vitamins A and B.
- The presence of Lycopene helps safeguard the skin against sun damage. It helps reduce reddening of the skin and erythema that the UV rays can cause.
- Watermelon also has glutathione which has skin-lightening characteristics.
- Owing to the high water content in this fruit, the skin also gets hydrated enough and its elasticity is also enhanced.
4. Pineapple
Pineapple is a delicious, juicy fruit that confers amazing skin benefits. It’s a tropical fruit and therefore one of the best anti-ageing fruits in India. It packs high amounts of vitamins like A, C, and K along with a range of minerals that are vital for maintaining healthy, glowing skin and reducing the signs of ageing. The benefits of pineapple include:
- B vitamins in pineapple fight free radicals to keep the skin young and youthful.
- Pineapple is a rich source of potassium which helps in the development of new skin cells.
- Vitamin C in pineapple promotes collagen production.
- It has high antioxidant content which prevents skin damage caused by free radicals.
- Pineapple is rich in bromelain enzymes that help exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin.
- Bromelain enzymes also inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
5. Apples
The statement ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ holds true as apples are full of nutrients, safeguarding the body from various conditions. Apples are also great for your skin. Some of the skincare benefits of apples are:
- Apples are rich in vitamins A, B complex, and C. These help the skin by eliminating pathogens and excess oil. This also helps correct uneven skin tone.
- Apples are rich in Vitamin C. It is a powerful antioxidant that reduces the effect of free radicals. It also promotes the production of collagen.
- The nutrients in apples are important to keep active acne, blemishes, and dark spots in check.
- The high water content in apples helps hydrate the skin.
- The nutrients in apples help reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. They are also an effective way to reduce age-related skin pigmentation.
6. Mango
Mango is not just the king of fruits. It is also one of the top-rated anti ageing fruits. The yellow, pulpy fruit packs abundant amounts of vitamins A, E, and C and other nutrients that have huge benefits on the skin. These include:
- Vitamin C in mangoes is important for collagen production.
- Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant which reduces the effect of free radicals, slowing down the process of ageing.
- Vitamin A stimulates collagen production in aged skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Vitamin B6 reduces sebum production, making the skin stay less oily.
- Potassium hydrates skin cells, keeping the skin moisturised.
- Magnesium reduces acne outbreaks.
- Vitamin E is important for skin hydration, keeping it soft, supple, and youthful.
- Beta-carotene protects the skin against infections and harmful toxins.
- Mango is also rich in alpha hydroxy acids which help in the removal of dead skin cells.
- Mangoes are high in antioxidants and phytochemicals that help reduce signs of premature ageing.
7. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the yummiest berries. They are also amongst the healthier ones. The fruit packs a range of nutrients that have powerful anti-ageing properties. Strawberries’ benefits for skin include:
- Strawberries are a rich source of alpha-hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid. This has a powerful exfoliating effect.
- It contains lots of Vitamin C which improves collagen production.
- The alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliates the area to drain the lymphatic nodes. This helps reduce the puffiness around the eyes.
- Strawberries have skin-lightening properties that help lighten complexion.
- Its high Vitamin C content lightens dark spots, making the skin look bright and radiant.
- Its high anti-inflammatory properties reduce skin inflammation.
Conclusion
Skin health is a reflection of overall health. Natural ageing leads to the depletion of collagen levels. But cosmetics, supplements, and healthy foods can slow down this process. Amongst these, the foods you eat hold special importance for nurturing healthy and younger-looking skin. A category of fruits called anti-ageing fruits provides the nourishment required to support skin health.
These fruits are typically rich in vitamins and minerals that boost collagen production and help slow down the effect of ageing. But it is important to remember that healthy skin is usually the result of a collective effort which includes a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
