Mood-Boosting Foods for the Post-Summer Season
Nutricosmetics expert Paula Simpson explains how food can repair your sun-damaged skin…
Fall might be just around the corner, but a little too much fun in the sun may leave signs of summer on your face. How do you get your skin back on track again? Food can help!
Focus on foods high in vitamins A, C, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids. Turn to fruits and vegetables such as lemons, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, tomatoes and broccoli for your dose of Vitamin C. Foods rich in selenium like Brazil nuts, oysters and tuna make for great antioxidants. High fat fish such as salmon contain the essential fatty acid omega 3, which helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin from within. Juicing is a great way to get those concentrated nutrients and antioxidants to revitalize post-summer skin.
Related: Antioxidant-Filled Cosmetics You Can Eat
The symptoms might not just show on your face, either. When the summer months come to an end, many of us begin to feel a sense of malaise. As the fall season approaches it is critical to maintain an active lifestyle and positive outlook to beat those dreaded “winter blahs.”
Related: 3 World-Class Spas to Help You Beat the Winter Blues
Many of the symptoms of depression can be directly linked to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the standard American diet (which is largely comprised of empty carbs, caffeine and sugar). Avoiding depression or recovering from a depressive episode may often be as easy as boosting your consumption of key foods that help regulate brain chemistry.
Scientists at the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society presented a study looking at more than 1,700 substances of common foods and their potential effects in enhancing mood.
Related: How Nutrition Influences Your Skin’s Aging Process
In conjunction to similar studies, they found that the chemicals in chocolate, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, teas and omega 3’s have a positive effect on mood and may help to smooth out mood swings. The study looked specifically at chemical structures in food and how they are similar to approved anti-depressant medications. They concluded that although food is not a substitute for prescribed medications, eating specific foods more often and maintaining a healthy lifestyle does have a direct positive effect one’s mood and outlook.
Related: The Real Research Behind Latest Health Claims
Men listen up! Omega-3′s can do more than just hydrate the skin. Click here to find out how they can support sexual health…
For more from Paula Simpson, visit her website, follow her on Twitter (@Nutribeautiful) and connect with her on Facebook.
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