Most of us lead lives where we are inconspicuously sucked into a food routine and are desperately trying to claw our way out of it. Sensible diet can make your summer more pleasant and cool.During summer, there is an abundance of fresh, delicious and healthy choicesof food with secret health benefits!So this is the time to change your food habits for the better.
1. Corn
Nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn. And did you know that two antioxidants—lutein and zeaxanthin—in corn may act like natural sunglasses, helping to form pigment that filters out some of the sun’s damaging rays. Yellow corn is a rich source of beta-carotene, which forms vitamin A that is vital for the maintenance of a healthy skin. Vitamin C and lycopene are potent antioxidants that prevent the UV generated free radicals from damaging the skin and increase the production of collagen that assists in the maintenance of smooth skin. Besides being eaten, corn can also be applied topically as corn oil, which is a rich source of linoleic acid.
2.Tomatoes
There’s no question that sunscreen should be your first line of defense against the blazing summer sun. But eating tomatoes could give you a little extra protection. It’s all about the lycopene in the tomato!Consuming more lycopene—the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red—may protect your skin from sunburn. Tomatoes and tomato products enable your skin to take in oxygen, delaying aging and wrinkling.
3.Bottle Gourd / Lauki
This might not be your favorite vegetable, but is rich in calcium, magnesium, Vitamin A, C and folate. This superhero vegetable works well on high blood pressure, keeps the heart healthy and is considered an excellent blood purifier.With powerhouse nutrients such as vitamin C and zinc, bottle gourd helps in tackling pre-mature ageing. The juice helps slow down cell ageing and prevents wrinkles to appear on the face.
4.Watermelon
In addition to delivering skin-protecting lycopene, watermelon is 92 percent water. So it keeps you hydrated. When your body is hydrated, the production of collagen is promoted and you get a firm and young-looking skin.Watermelon is an excellent source of anti-oxidants. Thus, it aids to fight the free radicals which are considered responsible for the occurrence of age-spots, fine lines and wrinkles. Watermelon is efficient in preventing your skin from these damages.
5.Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in ellagic acid which is an antioxidant, thus helps to minimize the wrinkles and also prevents the destruction of collagen which is responsible for the skin tightness. It also protects the skin against the harmful UVA and UVB rays.Vitamin C in strawberries makes natural skin bleach which gently improves the skin color by controlling the melanin production that causes darkness. Vitamin C also makes the skin smoother and tones it.
Lastly, increase water intake regardless of your food intake. Don’t forget that water is a key ingredient in keeping the body cool. With high humidity levels, sweat will not evaporate quickly. This prevents the body from releasing heat in an efficient manner. This is why it is necessary to hydrate and drink water, even when you are not thirsty.