10 best foods to eat for thicker hair
July 13th 2020
Skin
May 25th 2018 / 12 comments
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Do you have hypersensitive or inflamed skin? Add these superfoods to your diet to calm your skin from the inside out...
Skin that over-reacts may develop pustules, bumps, become inflamed, flush, and have weakened capillaries that cause thread veins. Food intolerances, harsh weather, stress, genetics, eczema, and very dry skin can increase sensitivity. The antioxidant quercetin soothes the gut and essential fatty acids strengthen the gut wall, both of which help reduce food sensitivities, and anti-inflammatory foods calm irritated skin.
This contains anti-inflammatory compounds called saponins and a starch, inulin, which passes undigested to the large intestine where it supports bacteria associated with nutrient absorption and a lower allergy risk.
Key nutrients: Folate, vitamins B1, C, K, fibre, iron, calcium, saponins, inulin.
How to eat: Add 4–5 raw spears to a salad or eat as a side vegetable.
These are a fabulous source of the antioxidant quercetin, thought to inhibit the release of histamines that leads to allergic reactions. Red onions also provide sulphur, which boosts healthy connective tissue, or collagen.
Key nutrients: Inulin, quercetin, flavonoids, sulphur, biotin.
How to eat: Add red onions to salads or use as a base for meals.
All colours supply antioxidants: quercetin calms skin, and lycopene and rutin protect and strengthen the blood vessels.
Key nutrients: Lycopene, lutein, betacarotene, quercetin, vitamin C.
How to eat: Eat up to 7 cherry tomatoes or 1 medium one daily.
This is high in an antioxidant kaempferol, which helps to stop the immune system over-reacting to allergy-related substances, lessening their impact and lowering the risk of inflammation.
Key nutrients: Sulforaphane, vitamins A, B C, E, and K, chromium, omega-3, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, selenium.
How to eat: 8 florets make part of your five a day.
Actually a fruit seed related to rhubarb and sorrel, buckwheat is a good grain substitute for those sensitive to wheat or other gluten grains. It also provides the antioxidant rutin, which helps reduce the fragility of blood vessel walls.
Key nutrients: Rutin, quercetin, magnesium, fibre, protein.
How to eat: Have up to 60g (2oz) daily.
Low in sugar, yet full of antioxidants that protect the skin and blood vessels.
Key nutrients: Flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamins C and E, omega-3, potassium, magnesium.
How to eat: Snack on a handful daily.
These have 30 types of carotenoid, flavonoids such as quercetin, and vitamin C. They also contain sulphur, which supports collagen.
Key nutrients: Quercetin, carotenoids, vitamin C, B vitamins.
How to eat: Eat raw in salad or add to meals.
Try to use organic, extra virgin cold-pressed oil as this has more anti-infl amatory polyphenols that can calm sensitive skin.
Key nutrients: Quercetin, vitamin E, omega-9.
How to eat: Use up to 2 tbsp daily in salads and for cooking on low heats.
Healthy monounsaturated fats in avocado allow 2–6 times more uptake of carotenoids. They contain B vitamins to help calm skin.
Key nutrients: Lutein, betacarotene, omega-3 and -9, vitamins B5, B6, C, E, K, copper, folate, potassium.
How to eat: 1 medium avocado 2–4 times a week.
This has higher levels of antioxidants than black tea, including catechins, which support collagen and elastin.
Key nutrients: L-theanine, catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
How to eat: Drink 1–3 cups daily.
Rich in vitamins A and C, quercetin, and anti-infl ammatory vitamin K.
Key nutrients: Fibre, vitamin C, betacarotene, quercetin, omega-3.
How to eat: Daily in salads and with meals.
Just 30g (1oz) of cacao contains 314 per cent of our daily iron needs. Cacao also has sulphur, supporting collagen production.
Key nutrients: Magnesium, chromium, iron protein, copper, calcium, betacarotene, vitamins B1 and B2, magnesium, sulphur, flavonoids, fatty acids.
How to eat: Add 1–6 tsp daily to meals.
This is an extract from Neal’s Yard Remedies Eat Beautiful by Susan Curtis, Tipper Lewis and Fiona Waring, published by DK, 1 March 2017. £16.99. DK.com.
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Great article I try really hard to incorporate these foods gut health is so important. I love using the deliciously Ella range . I love the scent of rose so I would love to try the shower gel and rose body butter
I have recently be diagnosed with rosacea, so have been looking at the importance of having a healthy gut in improving this condition. I would love to try the soothing starflower cleansing milk.
I love the Omega 3.6.9 oil blend my skin has been great from taking it
I'm also a fan of the Wild Rose Beauty Balm (and the rest of the NY products!) Am a big believer in being as natural as possible with our beauty (and food!) choices!
I have very sensitive and dry skin and have tried lots of products which never seem to work more than a few hours before my face is very dry again. I would love to try the Wild Rose Beauty Balm! Having seen reviews it looks amazing! A friend of mine also has used this and have heard wonderful things from her and you can also see the difference in her face!
Love to share... Thank you!
Great post, my skin is insanely sensitive. I eat most things on the list. I'll try eating then more frequently to see if there is a difference. I would love to try the Bee Lovely Body Butter
Ooovlove Neal's Yard the frankincense newer anti ageing cream :). The book looks absolutely fabulous for those of us interested in nutrition and wellness xxx thank you have a lovely day.
I would love to try Neal Yard's Nurturing Rose Shampoo and Conditioner - the reviews looks amazing and I am a massive fan of rose inspired beauty products!
I would love to try the Frankincense body toning cream. Sounds divine.
I love the Orange Flower Facial Oil to sleep in at night
I love the whole mother & baby line products, but especially the Baby bath & shampoo... such a lovely and calming scent...