What is collagen you ask? It is a protein that is found in our bodies in places like our connective tissue, bones, cartilage, and tendons. When we’re younger, our bodies produce a lot of it, but as we age the production slows down. This is an issue, as collagen helps our bodies in many ways. For example, it boosts metabolism, muscle mass and energy output, reduces joint pain, improves liver and cardiovascular health, and so on. However, it also improves the health of our skin and hair! If you are not a fan of taking pills or buying vitamins, you’re in luck because collagen can be introduced to your body through your diet with minimal effort. If you want to prevent sagging and wrinkles from forming when you’re older, you have to get on the collagen bandwagon. Here are 10 collagen rich foods that will give you glowing skin without having to spend money on face masks.
Foods that are rich in vitamin A (aka most orange vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots), restore collagen that has been damaged. If you want to repair and restore the collagen in your body then orange should be your new fav color.
Fish is so healthy for so many reasons but in terms of helping your skin out, the omega-3 fatty acid creates stronger cells that work with collagen to support the structure of your skin.
^ I legit have no idea what this is or who made it and I am sorry for subjecting you all to it.
We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun, and many red vegetables act as a natural sunscreen due to the antioxidant lycopene that is found in them (of course that does not mean to forgo sunblock altogether). Not only does lycopene protect your skin from the sun, but it also increases collagen levels to keep your skin healthy. Two for one deal right there.
Many dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach jump-start collagen production. Scientifically speaking, vitamin C contains antioxidants that help to stabilize enzymes that try to break down collagen. It also prevents the weakening of collagen.
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and all other berries are collagen rich foods that fight damage by increasing collagen production. You don’t have to tell me twice to eat more fruit.
Eggs have been really put through the ringer by food trend and fad perpetrators. People once thought the yolk was too high in cholesterol and fat, contributing to the popularity of egg white omelets. Turns out the yolk is not unhealthy and contains a lot of protein/nutrients, but so does the egg white! Egg whites actually contain collagen so stop skipping breakfast.
Garlic is a great ingredient to incorporate into your diet because it is low in calories and fat, but it is also rich in many vitamins and antioxidants. It contains sulfur which aids in the production of collagen, as well as lipoic acid and taurine that rebuild damaged collagen fibers.
Are they really an aphrodisiac? That’s an investigation for another time. One thing we know for sure is that oysters contain high levels of zinc which is imperative to the process of building collagen. Now you can stock up on collagen rich foods with a potential sexy side effect!
Lemons, clementines, oranges, grapefruit, and limes all contain vitamin C, which helps amino acids convert to collagen. Incorporating citrus fruit into your diet is almost too easy. Have an orange as a snack, a grapefruit at breakfast, or squeeze a lemon or lime into your water. Lemon/lime water is exactly what you need to be consuming for flawless skin, as hydrating your body improves your complexion and vitamin C aids in the production of collagen.
Most nuts, particularly peanuts, also contain lysine the same way egg whites do, making them the perfect snack to keep you full and give you amazing skin.
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