Best Fruits for Healthy Skin

Best Fruits for Healthy Skin

Ever heard of the old adage, “You are what you eat?” Well, it has never been truer! As time goes by, exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause premature aging of the skin and a sign of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, sunburns, skin cancer, and the list goes on. However, feeding your skin with essential supplies can go a long way in protecting your skin from these numerous skin problems, thereby giving it healthy and supple-looking skin. To get amazing results, a natural approach is an ideal way! Including fruits in your daily diet provides you with that natural glow and shine that you have been looking for! So why are you stressing over your facials when all you need is within arm’s reach? Technology has even made it less stressful for you, as you can now easily get all the best fruits for healthy skin at your doorstep at any time.

According to experts, fruits are rich in antioxidants that prevent oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Getting that healthy-looking skin requires a healthy dose of nutrients that can only be gotten from consuming the right fruits and vegetables. Those same fruits that you thought were just meant to satisfy your taste buds and starving stomachs actually do so much more than that! They contain an optimal level of nutrients and minerals, most of which are present in all the best fruits for healthy skin. So if you have not been religious about eating your fruit and veggies, I think it’s high time you start now!

What Makes Up Healthy Skin?

A healthy skin is an oxidant-free skin. It is skin that is well hydrated, blemished, and acne-free and has a fine texture. It is neither dry, flaky, nor wrinkled.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants boosts the production of collagen and elastin. These fibers keep the skin firm, thereby delaying skin aging and preventing various skin problems.

Let me quickly fill you in with all the best fruits for healthy skin!

11 Best Fruits for Healthy Skin

1. Watermelon

A healthy skin is a well-hydrated skin, and what better way to get hydrated than through the use of water? As the name implies, ‘watermelon’ is a naturally hydrating agent as it contains 92% water. The high water content in this refreshing fruit hydrates your skin to its peak, giving it that yummy glow. It contains essential vitamins like vitamins C, A, B1, and B6 that help maintain even and radiant skin. Rich in antioxidants, lycopene, and vitamin C, watermelon may help lower inflammation and oxidative damage. It is perfect for sensitive or acne-prone skin types.

watermelon

2. Mango

Aside from being tasty, mangoes have a long list of benefits, as they have healthy nutrients that can help support your skin and overall health. This succulent fruit is a rich source of fiber and dietary sugar and contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. The antioxidant called zeaxanthin in mangoes may help you prevent premature aging and protect your skin from sun damage, which is linked to free radicals.

Mangoes also serve as an anti-inflammatory agent for the skin.

sliced mangoes

3. Orange

Generally, citrus fruits are one of the highest sources of vitamin C and good amounts of other vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy-looking skin; however, oranges rank higher! This juicy citrus fruit has the highest vitamin C content amongst all citrus fruits and one medium orange provides 70mg of vitamin C which is essential in the production of collagen, one of the building blocks of the skin.

Aside from being a high source of vitamin C, oranges contain more vitamins, including A, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B9. They also help in promoting healthy skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and assisting in the healing process of blemishes.

sliced oranges

4. Papaya

Papaya, also known as paw-paw, has gained immense popularity for its wonderful results in terms of skincare. Several antioxidants are found in papaya, most notably vitamins C, A, and E which help boost the immune system. It has also been used in many skincare products over time, so if you are longing for healthy, clear, and blemish-free skin, then you should start thinking of making papaya part of your daily diet.

Furthermore, expert studies show that concentrated papaya extract can lead to decreased inflammation and a 40% reduction in oxidative stress.

sliced papaya

5. Cucumber

Who knew cucumbers were actually fruits and not vegetables? Apparently, they are from the same family as watermelons and pumpkins. Well, this super fruit helps moisturize and soothe the skin as it has a high level of moisture, which is essential for healthy and glowing skin. They have small amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A that boost the immune system and subsequently boost the production of collagen.

Antioxidants such as beta-carotene in cucumbers can help fight free radicals in your body that ravage the skin and cause numerous skin problems. Putting them on your skin may help ease sunburn pain, swelling, and damaged skin.

sliced cucumber

6. Tomatoes

This is another one of the best fruits for healthy skin; it rejuvenates your skin in just a bite. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a strong antioxidant that prevents tissue damage caused by the unstable molecules the body and environment emit (free radicals).

These molecules are solely responsible for the damaging of cells and increased oxidative stress that promotes the aging of the skin and other skin issues; the antioxidants present in tomatoes alleviate the chances of this happening. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium folate, and vitamin K.

tomatoes

7. Kiwi

High in antioxidants (Alpha-tocopherol), vitamin C, and dietary fiber, kiwi fruit fights against free radicals, thereby preventing oxidative stress, which can result in cell damage and signs of aging. The physical appearance alone of the kiwi fruit shows that it is no ordinary fruit! And what else is expected of an extraordinary fruit if not an endless supply of general health benefits, which include skin health?

One kiwi provides 64 mg of vitamin C which alternatively boosts the production of collagen, the body’s ability to heal wounds, and provides healthy skin.

Kiwi

8. Apple

I am of the opinion that whoever wrote the famous saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ must have omitted that an apple a day also keeps the dermatologist away! The nutrients and minerals this fruit carries are not only crucial for your health systematically but also skin-wise, as they provide extra protection from the UV rays coming from the sun. Apples are rich in vitamins A, C, and B complex, catechin, quercetin, soluble fiber, and chlorogenic acid, which are responsible for many health benefits. They regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation as they fight against oxidants. Regularizing your intake of apples helps get rid of pathogens and excess oil and boosts the renewal of skin cells. They also work as a natural skin toner, as they assist in the brightening of the skin as well as uneven and blemished skin tones. 

In addition, apples contain a lot of water, which assists in the hydration process of the skin, giving it a hydrated and healthy look. Applying apple juice or using mashed apple paste as a face mask regularly can give you some relief from acne.

apples

9. Banana

Another one of the best fruits for healthy skin is our very yummy and beloved banana. This fruit contains alpha and beta-carotene, selenium, choline, catechins, and soluble fiber, all of which have antioxidant properties that relieve the skin from oxidant-induced problems like chronic inflammation. One medium-sized banana can provide up to 33% of vitamin B6, and like most fruits, it contains a good amount of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system, production of collagen, and healing process. They also contain healthy nutrients and 7.5 mg of flavonoids while providing protection from free radicals. Bananas can be eaten sliced or mashed or a smoothie can also be made out of them.

bananas

10. Lemon

Looking for something that sends acne and blemishes away within a twinkle of an eye? Well, finding it is easy, peasy, lemon squeezy! Lemon is one fruit that works wonders in the body and on the skin; it is one of the best fruits for healthy skin. Lemon juice naturally contains antioxidants that may help reduce skin damage and premature aging.  Due to their massive vitamin C content, lemons are very effective in brightening up the skin complexion and reducing dark spots and acne on the skin. They also protect the skin from further damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

lemon

11. Avocado

A slice of avocado and kiss that stubborn acne goodbye! Avocados are renowned for their exceptional skin benefits and are used as an ingredient in many skincare products. They possess anti-inflammatory properties which may help ease sunburns and help reduce the redness and inflammation associated with acne. Avocados may help speed up the healing process of wounds, and dry, flaky, and irritated skin as the essential fatty acids and oleic acid in avocado oil can promote the production of collagen and the formation of new healthy skin. They also help reduce inflammation during the healing process.

The combination of vitamins E and C present in consuming avocados may help provide protection to the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. In addition to these vitamins, avocado oil contains dietary fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins A, K, B3, and B6 as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, lecithin, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids and many other nutrients that can nourish, soothe and moisturize the skin. These may also reduce the risk of acne.

Avocados are beneficial to the brain because it contains monounsaturated fats

Conclusion

We all know that the first signs of aging usually appear on the skin, using harsh chemical products may affect the skin further, and I can personally attest to that. Consuming rich vitamins such as those found in all the best fruits for healthy skin can help the skin retain its elasticity and render it young again.

Eat healthy look healthy!

9 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Stomach Ache

9 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Stomach Ache

Stomach ache is a very common misnomer for abdominal pain; it is just one of the several causes of abdominal pain. Your abdomen comprises all the organs between the front part of your thorax (chest) and the pelvis, therefore, pain from any of these organs is termed abdominal pain. Nevertheless, we will still refer to it as stomach ache for the purpose of this article.

Stomachache is very common, and everyone must have experienced it at some point in time. While severe stomachache is a medical emergency that needs to be treated by your doctor, you can easily treat mild aches by just making good use of the things available in your kitchen.

Are you ready to explore the several options of home remedies for stomach pain available for you? Let’s ride on!

Home Remedies for Stomach Pain

When you are busy with some projects in the office or lying down peacefully at home, you might start to feel some uneasiness in your stomach.

This could be because there has been an accumulation of excess gas in your stomach, heartburn from peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal disease, cramping from diarrhoea, constipation, or just a bad reaction from the food you ate a few minutes or hours ago.

Whichever one it is, there are several home remedies for stomach pain that you can try to get immediate relief before going to the hospital for appropriate evaluation and treatment. Thus:

1. Give It Some Time

Stomach aches are sometimes mild and all you need to do is to give it time. A good example is a diarrhoea from mild food poisoning or from eating food that your stomach is not used to. In such situations, by allowing your body to flush itself of the offending food, you will be okay in no time.

2. Drink Enough Water

Water is necessary for a lot of functions in the body. This includes digestion and absorption of food. In cases of stomach pain due to diarrhoea or constipation, it is imperative to take enough fluids. Adequate water intake helps in preventing and relieving constipation.

Furthermore, dehydration due to diarrhoea or vomiting could be very dangerous if body water is continuously lost without being replaced. Taking adequate water in such situations, therefore, comes in very handy.

Apart from the water lost to vomiting and diarrhoea, some important substances in your body, known as electrolytes are lost as well, therefore doctors recommend taking Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) in such situations since they also contain glucose, salt, and other electrolytes needed by the body.

Here is a quick guide on how to prepare ORS at home.

3. Take a Warm Bath or Use a Heating Pad

The use of heat as a natural remedy comes in handy especially when the pain is a result of muscle cramps. In this case, taking a warm bath or applying a heating pad or bag to the aching area will relax the tense muscles and ease your symptoms. Heat therapy can also be used for indigestion.

Be careful not to use excessive heat to avoid causing harm to yourself.

READ ALSO: 7 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Menstrual Cramps

4. Add Some Ginger to Your Tea and Cooking

Ginger has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties that make it a good natural remedy for a lot of diseases.

Adding ginger to your tea and cooking can be very helpful for treating your upset stomach. It helps with nausea, indigestion, and other symptoms as well.

5. Increase Your Fiber Intake

Constipation, as earlier mentioned, is an important cause of stomachache. This can be prevented, as well as treated, by incorporating a good amount of fibre-containing foods into your diet. There are several options available. These includes:

  1. Fruits like apple, banana, citrus, strawberries
  2. Potatoes
  3. Barley
  4. Oats
  5. Dried beans
  6. Whole grains
  7. Most vegetables etc.

6. Potash Used to Be a Wonder Drug

The popular kanwa (potash) in Northern Nigeria has been used for ages to ease symptoms of stomach aches, especially if it is due to acid reflux, constipation, or spasm.

According to research, potash has many other uses e.g. in fertilizer production, toothache treatment, as a preservative, fire extinguishing, cleaning purposes, etc.

Nevertheless, medical experts have warned that its excessive use could result in decreased sperm production, kidney failure, and heart diseases (arrhythmia), so it is best to use safer alternatives.

7. Peppermint Helps to Relax Your Tense Muscles

The menthol content in peppermint helps to ease your symptoms of a stomachache. It has also been shown to relax muscles when a person is having abdominal cramps.

However, it is not recommended for you if you are suffering from a peptic ulcer or any acid reflux disease.

8. Aloe Vera Juice Can Ease Several Symptoms of Stomachache

The juice from the Aloe Vera plant contains substances that may ease your symptoms by reducing inflammation, encouraging bowel movements to treat constipation, improving digestion of proteins, reducing excessive stomach acid, removing toxins, etc.

9. You Can Use Over-the-Counter Medication

There are several over-the-counter medications available, depending on the symptoms you are having.  This includes laxatives for constipation, loperamide for diarrhoea and cramps, antacids for reflux disease, and pain relievers like paracetamol.

Nevertheless, you should always consult with your doctor before you buy and take any medication.

Things You Should Avoid When You Have a Stomach Ache

  1. Avoid lying down too quickly after a meal: this is especially important for people experiencing acid reflux. Lying down immediately after a meal will push the acidic contents of your stomach upwards, eventually causing heartburn.
  2. Avoid carbonated drinks: carbonated drinks can easily cause an increase of gas in your system, resulting in burping and flatulence. Excessive amounts of gas will likely cause stomachache, so it is preferable to reduce your intake of such drinks and swap them with water, fruit juice, or the likes
  3. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
  4. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest
  5. Avoid improperly cooked food

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Using the above home remedies for stomach pain might be all that you need for a mild ache, but sometimes it can be severe or be associated with some symptoms that will necessitate you to see a doctor as soon as possible for specialized evaluation and treatment. These include:

  1. Blood in stool
  2. Bleeding from the anus or rectum
  3. Severe pain
  4. Effortless weight loss
  5. Yellowing of the eyes
  6. Severe vomiting and/or diarrhea
  7. Difficulty swallowing
  8. Stomachache during pregnancy
  9. Heartburn that does not get better after taking over-the-counter antacids

FAQ

Q: Should I take antibiotics for a stomach ache?

A: There are several causes of stomach ache and each is treated differently. Antibiotics should only be used when it is evident that harmful microorganisms are responsible for causing the ache. This will be confirmed by your physician.

Q: Should I be worried if I experience recurrent stomachache?

A: Recurrent stomach aches could mean that you have an underlying problem that needs to be treated. You should consult your doctor for immediate and appropriate investigations and treatment.

Conclusion

We believe that by reading up to this point, you are now enlightened on several home remedies for stomach pain that you can easily try at home. However, this should not stop you from going to the doctor for professional treatment if your symptoms persist.

Have you tried any of these methods before? Please share your experience with us in the comments section below.

5 Delicious Smoothies That Will Leave You Asking for More

5 Delicious Smoothies That Will Leave You Asking for More

A smoothie is everything with fruits—from tasty to creamy to nutritious to healthy and delicious smoothie recipes. Making a smoothie at home is so simple as long as you have the right fruits and ingredients. Once you know how to, you’re stuck with it!

What Is A Smoothie?

A smoothie is a thick, smooth blend of fresh fruits with milk and/or yogurt. Smoothies are nutritious and fortified with fiber, nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and flavor.

Now that you know what a smoothie is, let’s tell you how to make and blend up a smoothie.

How to Make Smoothies at Home

The basic ingredients for making smoothies are fruits, something creamy, and a liquid. Sometimes, vegetables are incorporated as extras, but they are always optional.

Ingredients Needed to Make a Smoothie

Fruits

Fruits could be bananas, mangoes, strawberries, or any of your choice, either fresh fruits or frozen fruits. Fresh fruits give a smooth smoothie, while frozen give it a bit rough appearance.

Cream

This involves adding yogurt to it to improve the texture of the smoothie. You could use plain yogurt or Greek yoghurt.

Liquid

This is the incorporation of either water or milk. Milk is my go-to as it has nutrients and richness for this healthy, delicious smoothie recipe.

This could be whole milk or coconut milk, as it gives vitamins, calcium, and protein. Milk also helps to thin out purée and makes it easier to blend to the right consistency.

I hope that with this, you’re beginning to have an idea of what constitutes healthy, delicious smoothie recipes. In making a smoothie, we start by layering our ingredients, from fruits to cream to liquid.

Vegetables

These are what make smoothies healthy, as the vegetables are extremely fortified with nutritional benefits. Vegetables are optional, though. The vegetables may be kale, spinach, cucumbers, ginger, or cinnamon.

Sometimes, seeds are also added to give it a nutty taste while also carrying nutritional value. Such seeds may include chia seeds and hemp seeds.

For extra sweetness, you can add honey or maple syrup. Now, I’ll be sharing with you different kinds of smoothie recipes.

Let’s get blending!

Equipment Needed

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1. Cucumber Apple Mint Smoothie Recipe

Cucumber apple mint smoothie is one of the healthy delicious smoothie recipes you should know about

Ingredients for Cucumber Apple Mint Smoothie

Cucumber
Mint
Apples
Honey
Avocado

Procedures

STEP 1: Wash your fruits and vegetables properly in a bowl with running water.

STEP 2: Chop/dice your fruits.

STEP 3: Wash your blender before use.

STEP 4: In your blender, add diced cucumbers apples, and chopped mints.

STEP 5: For coldness, add ice or place it in the refrigerator after blending.

STEP 6: Add honey and avocado to the blender and give this a blend.

STEP 7: You’ll get a green-looking healthy purée.

Your healthy, delicious smoothie recipes of cucumber, apple, and mint are ready.

2. Chocolate Chip Mocha Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

Chocolate Chip Mocha Breakfast Smoothie  is an easy healthy delicious smoothie recipe to follow

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Mocha Breakfast Smoothie

Iced coffee
Milk
Chocolate chips
Coffee beans

Procedures

STEP 1: In a blender, add iced coffee cubes.

STEP 2: Add whole milk, chocolate chips, and coffee beans.

STEP 3: Give this a blend.

STEP 4: Serve this in a glass and top this with whipped cream.

Your chocolate smoothie is ready.

3. Strawberry Banana Yoghurt Smoothie Recipe

This 3. Strawberry Banana Yoghurt Smoothie Recipe is one of the healthy delicious smoothie recipes to know

Ingredients for Strawberry Banana Yoghurt Smoothie

Milk
Yoghurt
Strawberries
Banana

Procedures

STEP 1: Wash your fruits properly in running water.

STEP 3: In the blender, add the fruits and sliced/diced banana.

STEP 4: Pour in the milk.

STEP 5: Pour in plain or Greek yoghurt.

STEP 6: Give this a blend.

Your healthy delicious smoothie recipes are ready.

4. Orange Mango Carrot Smoothie Recipe

Orange mango carrots is a tasty delicious smoothie to prepare

Ingredients for Orange Mango Carrot Smoothie Recipe

Oranges
Mangoes
Carrots
Milk

Procedures

STEP 1: Wash all your fruits and dice them.

STEP 2: Add the oranges, mangoes, and carrots to the blender.

STEP 3: Pour in milk and give this a blend.

Your orange carrots smoothie is ready!

5. Strawberry Blackberry Raspberry Smoothie Recipe

Strawberry Blackberry Raspberry Smoothie is one of the healthy delicious smoothie recipes

Ingredients for Strawberry Blackberry Raspberry Smoothie Recipe

Strawberries
Blackberry
Raspberry
Broccoli
Milk

Procedures

STEP 1: Wash all the berries properly.

STEP 2: In the blender, add in fruits and broccoli.

STEP 3: Pour in milk and give this a blend.

Your berries and broccoli smoothie are ready to be enjoyed.

Are Smoothies Healthy?

Smoothies are healthy as they are extremely fortified with vitamins and minerals. Simply blending pineapple, bananas, watermelon, and yoghurt is promised to enrich you with there are nutrients such as calcium, proteins, etc.

How to Store Smoothies

Simply store and preserve the blended smoothies in the refrigerator as this is guaranteed to still be of quality for 2-3 days. Store in a container with airtight covers.

Conclusion

Ta-da! I hope you had fun blending up these healthy delicious smoothie recipes just as much as I did writing them. I’m not a fan of vegetables in my smoothie, I like something and anything sweet so I mostly go for fruits, yoghurt, and milk. It still gives the same nutrients but not as much as vegetables do.

Comment below if you tried any of the recipes or if you think I missed any. If you enjoyed this, check out three other different ways of making lemonade I bet you didn’t know about.