Six Summer Super Foods You Should Indulge In

Warm weather begs for lighter meals and preparation methods, which may help slim you down and look radiant at the same time. Munching on fruits during hot weather keeps you refreshed while also being satisfying. A new ways to try fruit this summer could be to add it to the salad or spin it in a juicer with some ice, either way you keep your taste buds inspired and your skin thankfully radiant.

Berries.

No matter which type you prefer, berries are a skin super food. Excessive UV exposure can cause the skin to generate free radicals, leading to skin damage, wrinkles and premature aging. Berries, especially blueberries, are loaded with antioxidants that can help neutralize the effect of skin damaging free radicals. When I think of summer beauty foods, I can’t help but think of Strawberries. These sweet berries are one of the best sources of vitamin C out there, with 163% of the daily value per cup.

Mangos

This delicious tropical fruit is jam-packed with over 20 different vitamins and minerals. Like with carrots, beta-carotene, which gives mangos their orange hue, is converted to vitamin A in the body, helping to keep acne at bay. Mangos are also rich in alpha hydroxyl acid, which exfoliates and rejuvenates skin by speeding cell turnover rate.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and beta-carotene. Research shows that when tomatoes are cooked, they have even more lycopene. A diet rich in those nutrients may boost your skin's natural defense against sun damage and improve its appearance, according to a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin C. One cup delivers almost half of the daily value.

Hibiscus Tea

This ruby red tea is full of health benefits. Research shows it's high in antioxidants, including vitamin C and anthocyanins (usually found in tea blends, like red raspberry, so look for it in the ingredient list).

Rooibos Tea

Not only is Rooibos tea high in the polyphenols that help protect the skin from premature aging, it’s also caffeine free so you don’t need to worry about the dehydrating side effects that some teas and coffee have.  Rooibos is also soothing for the stomach so try a cup of tea if you’re feeling a little sluggish.

Chia Seeds

These tiny little seeds sure pack a lot of anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids! Inflammation can show up in the skin both as breakouts and premature wrinkles, so arm yourself with some ch-ch-ch-chia.

All these foods can help you guard against inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage and protect your skin against the sun's harmful rays. Of course, you should still wear sunscreen and avoid getting too much sun.