Photo: tibchris / Flickr

Did you know that the skin is your largest organ? An average person’s skin is about two square metres in size! Our skin keeps diseases, viruses and bacteria from entering our bodies, and keeps us from losing water and provides us with a sense of touch. Our skin also protects our muscles and organs. Usually, we don’t worry about what our skin does for us – we’re mostly concerned about how it looks.

Our skin generally reflects what’s going on in our bodies – if we aren’t getting enough sleep, or if we smoke or are dehydrated, it will show up on our skin. Don’t just reach for the make-up; it will just cover up the problem instead of solving it. By eating right, you can feel healthier and have good skin.

Get plenty of vitamins and minerals

The vitamins A, C, E and B, and the minerals selenium and zinc are important for maintaining good skin. These are antioxidants which help to combat free radicals (molecules in our body that attack collagen, which keeps our skin firm). Good sources of vitamin A include lamb and chicken liver, eggs and dairy products. High concentrations of vitamin C can be found in peppers, guavas, chilli peppers and strawberries.

Vitamin E is found in plant oils, hazelnuts and almonds, among others. Sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, mixed nuts and raisins, lamb’s kidneys, lentils and tuna. Good sources of zinc include wheat germ, calf’s liver, poppy and sunflower seeds, nuts and cocoa powder. The B vitamins can be found in fortified breakfast cereals, yeast extract, seafood and lentils, among others.

Fats are good for you

Yes, not all fats are bad for you –monounsaturated fats which contain omega 3 and 9 are vital to the correct functioning of the body and keep our hearts, joints and skin healthy. Great sources of these acids are olive, canola, walnut and flaxseed oil. Oily fish, such as salmon, tuna and sardines are also good sources of these essential fatty acids.

Eight glasses a day

How many of us really drink eight glasses of liquid a day, never mind water? Water not only keeps your digestive system working properly, it is also essential for a good skin. Water also helps to flush toxins out of your cells. If you are properly hydrated, your skin will be able to sweat out impurities properly, leading to a clearer skin.

So remember to vary your diet, eat a wide variety of natural, unprocessed foods, and drink plenty of water. That’s nature’s best recipe for healthy, beautiful skin.

Tags: detox, Healthy diet, minerals, skin, skin care, vitamins