Summer can be a particularly damaging time for skin, especially for an elderly person.
While you’re probably already thinking about sun creams, did you know that your skin also needs help from within? If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to start incorporating a few extra summer foods to help protect your skin.
Let’s have a look at some food that can help to keep your skin healthy during the summer (and even winter).
What to eat to protect your skin in Summer
Lemons
Lemons are excellent sources of calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium which help to improve the appearance and condition of hair, skin, and nails. Their high content of vitamin C is an effective antioxidant which combats the effects of pollution, smoke and even sun exposure.
Vitamin C also encourages the body to produce more collagen and melanin, which helps reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
Try a slice or two of lemon in warm water when you wake up in the morning before you have anything else. This is also a good energy booster so you may even find it replacing your morning tea or coffee. You could even add it to some green tea!
Use organic lemons that are unwaxed, for a couple of reasons; you get more taste and nutrients in organic food, and it’s probably not a good thing to be consuming the wax that is added simply to make the fruit look shiny and ‘more appealing’. You can also mix up your drink by adding some frozen blueberries to keep it cool.
Beetroot
Beets are easy to get this time of the year and are a great source of antioxidants. Beets will help to give you a lovely glow while also reducing wrinkles, as well as help lower blood pressure.
Fresh organic beetroot is a regular feature in organic veg box subscriptions at this time of year. Steam them, then peel and slice. You can eat them warm, and they really are delicious or let them cool for a summer salad.
Beetroots are a great antioxidant which helps protect the eyes from cataracts, you can even drink fresh beet juice, which could help reduce heart disease symptoms.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene – that’s what makes the tomato red, it’s an antioxidant that has anti-ageing properties. Tomatoes can also help to protect your skin against UV damage, to help prevent skin cancers.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are packed with zinc, which is needed to create new skin cells. They also improve skin tone and control oil production. They are really easy to add to your day too, just a handful is needed, so add them to your morning routine on yoghurt or muesli, or snack on them whenever you like.
There are lots of foods that can help skin healthy, like nuts, avocados, and dark leafy greens. The trick is to think inside and out. They always say, beauty comes from within.
How MyLife can help
We understand that trying to ensure your loved ones are getting all of their nutrients and vitamins can be overwhelming. Especially when you have a thousand other things to be thinking of and planning.
Our live-in companionship and home help services are a great way to get some time for yourself while our expert staff are on hand to take some of the responsibilities away from you. Our companionship carers can make sure your elderly loved one is getting all the nutrients and exercise they need.
