The next time you’re choosing between an apple and a bag of Doritos for a snack, know that your love handles aren’t the only part of you that will be affected. Your skin is also greatly affected by the food choices you make every day. A healthy diet that promotes good general health can have a positive influence on your skin`s appearance.

Opting for foods rich in vitamins C, E, and A, like mangos which have more than 80% of the daily requirements of vitamin A, maintain and repair skin cells. A diet deficient in these vitamins will result in a dry, flaky complexion. As an antioxidant, vitamin A also fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. One single Acerola cherry supplies 100% of your daily allowance for vitamin C, which as an antioxidant, fights skin damage and wrinkles and aids in the production of collagen. Severe deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals, like iron, can lead to skin disorders. Minor deficiencies may decrease your skins’ ability to heal.

While a low-fat and “healthy” fat diet is good for your body and your skin, a diet void of fat can eventually show up as dry skin. Foods like avocados and almonds are normally considered a “healthy” fat in diet plans, but avocados have essential oils that nourish your skin inside and out, and almonds are power packed with 150% of your daily need for vitamin E whose rich oils moisturize dry skin, while its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging of facial tissue.

Studies suggest that while your body needs some iodine, too much iodine can increase the tendency to break out because it boosts the production of oil in the sebaceous glands. You can reduce iodine intake by using table salt that`s non-iodized and limiting the amount of beef and shellfish you eat. Speaking of shellfish, oysters may help fight acne. Oysters contain zinc which not only helps clear up acne, but can also help boost elastin production when paired with Acerola cherry’s vitamin C. Vitamin C and zinc also enhance the effects of baked potatoes eaten with the skin on. On baked potato supplies 75% of your daily need for copper. This essential mineral works hand-in-hand with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure. Too little copper in your diet can reduce your skin’s ability to heal.

Many beverages can also either help or harm your skin. Alcohol and coffee cause the small blood vessels, under the skin surface to widen resulting in the familiar flushed look. Excessive alcohol and coffee consumption will cause permanent widening of blood vessels known as thread veins. (A highly spiced diet can also contribute to thread veins.) Too much alcohol and coffee can also effect collagen production in your skin.

Other foods and drink that play a major role in your healthy glow are wheat germ, flaxseed oil and, of course, plenty of purified water.

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