You’re proud of your beautiful skin and when you tell folks your age, they often do a double take. But perhaps you’re slowly seeing some changes in the mirror, and you know that a good skincare routine alone won’t be enough to keep at bay those sneakier signs of aging like thinning hair or the need for reading glasses or extra dental work.
Beauty is an inside job. That’s why so many celebrities and everyday sisters try collagen supplements, which are thought to help improve skin hydration, elasticity and softness.1 But this is just one of the many ways your diet can boost your beauty.
Here’s a look at 7 superfoods that can help give you that post-40 glow up, foods that you might even find in the kitchens of some of our favorite celebrity ageless beauties.
Wild salmon
If you’re a fan of seafood, here’s a reason to love it even more: salmon and other cold-water fish can be a delicious way to keep your skin looking youthful. Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which can ward off wrinkles by keeping your skin pretty and plump.
Salmon also is a great source of protein. You better believe that Viola Davis’ diet incorporated plenty of protein when she was training for The Woman King. But you need protein, too, even if you’re not preparing to be a warrior on the big screen.
Many dieticians and dermatologists agree that a protein-rich diet can help give your skin that glow that we all want. Animal proteins like salmon contain all nine of the essential amino acids that we need.4 Amino acids are important because they’re the building blocks of keratins, collagen and elastin. Amino acids can help prevent sun damage and can help your skin repair itself if sun damage does occur.
If you’re vegan, don’t fret. A tasty dish of your favorite legumes with brown rice or soy should do the trick of getting you the amino acids you need.
Blueberries
Blueberries are like the superheroes of the fruit family, using the superpowers of antioxidants to fight off free radicals that can damage your cells and cause pre-mature aging. Blueberries can boost collagen production and improve circulation – both of which can improve the health of your skin, too.
And blueberries love you inside out. They provide potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. Blueberries also contain fiber and prebiotics, which help with your gut health -- which researchers are finding could be linked to skin health.
Blueberries may also help lower blood pressure, manage blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of heart attack. These super berries may improve your memory too.
So, berries can help you keep you on earth longer and keep you looking good while you’re here.
One of Halle Berry’s favorite snacks is organic fruit. Along with blueberries she also enjoys other low sugar berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Berry likes berries, and you should too!
Walnuts & almonds
This might surprise you, but Kerry Washington is usually toting snacks in her red-carpet clutch. She’s a big fan of munching on seeds and almonds.
And this may surprise you too -- nuts can be good for your teeth.
Almonds contain calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, which work together to strengthen tooth enamel. And when you’re chewing almonds, you’re boosting saliva flow, which can help clean your teeth.
Walnuts boast vitamin E and folic acid to fight off gum inflammation. Walnuts also provide antioxidants that help thwart cavity-causing bacteria.
Even though walnuts and almonds are good for you – you can have too much of a good thing. Because nuts are an energy dense, high-fat food, try to stick to 1 or 2 ounces per day. And remember to opt for raw, unsalted nuts. They’re less processed and have more nutrients, and their rough texture acts like tiny toothbrushes cleaning plaque and tartar from your teeth.
That said, it’s always a good idea to brush your teeth within 30 minutes of snacking on your favorite nuts.
Collard greens
There’s no need to reserve collard greens for holiday meals. They’re a favorite of Gabrielle Union11 and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C – both of which help keep your skin healthy. Vitamin A can help keep your eyes as strong as they are beautiful too.
Collard greens are also a good source of iron, which helps prevent anemia – one of the common causes of hair loss. So eating these low-calorie, nutrient-dense greens can also help keep your lovely locks of hair luscious.
Beets
Beets are another go-to for Halle Berry. Before a tough workout, she reaches for an organic beetroot juice energy drink.
Research shows you’ll probably find that beets can boost your performance too at your favorite aerobics class. Beets also boast anti-inflammatory properties.
Beets are packed with nutrients and dietary nitrates, which can help you keep your blood pressure in check. And those same nitrates may help you stay sharp by improving cognitive function and overall brain health.
Looking younger is great, but feeling younger is even better. And beets might do the trick.
Avocado
Before dinnertime, Tracee Ellis Ross likes to snack on avocado toast. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons she always looks so great!
Avocados, which are rich in nutrients, can increase our skin elasticity and firmness. These green fruits are also a healthy source of plant-based protein and contain magnesium and monounsaturated fats, which can help keep our hormones balanced.
Dark chocolate
If you love chocolate, opt for the kind that will love you back. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium which help keep your hormones balanced and help keep you feeling like your vibrant self. Maybe that’s why it’s the one (semi) sweet treat so many celebrities will admit to indulging! Singer, farmer and chef Kelis tops her famous milkshakes with dark chocolate shavings and adds semisweet chocolate to a favorite cookie recipe.
