Though when many of us think of holiday food, we tend to think of treats such as gingerbread, sugar cookies and homemade bread, all of which aren’t particularly known for their health benefits, there are some traditional holiday foods that are actually very good for your skin in particular. So for the health of your skin this holiday season, feel at east indulging in the following and boost the natural beauty of your skin:
Cranberries
Although these special season berries are bright red in color themselves, they can actually help to fight redness within the skin whether it’s acne, eczema or psoriasis. The cranberry’s ability to do so is thanks to their natural anthocyanins and phytochemicals that help to fight off inflammation.
Sweet Potato
During Thanksgiving and Christmas in particular, many dishes include the sweet potato which is not only delicious but beneficial to your skin as well. Because sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene and vitamins C, A and E, it’s a great holiday food item for fighting cell damage because of its antioxidant powers.
Turkey
Turkey is a staple at the holiday dinner table. What would a true holiday meal be without it? Did you also know that the carnosine, a protein that aids in slowing down collagen damage, can help to tighten skin through boosting collagen growth? Time for seconds!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is used in cookies, cider, hot chocolate and all kinds of holiday soufflés and desserts, but it can also help to heal acne and eczema as well as minor wounds and cuts because it contains both anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties that can treat these issues in the skin. Cinnamon is also great when applied directly to the skin as an exfoliant and to help combat breakouts in general.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin makes its way into all kinds of holiday dishes from well before Halloween and extending past Christmas. The pumpkin is absolutely packed with amino acids, antioxidants, beta-carotene, enzymes and vitamins which can boost the production of collagen and exfoliate the skin.
Keep in mind as you indulge in holiday dishes containing these powerful foods that an excess of sugar may only serve to undo any benefits these natural foods may provide. Sugar has never been good for the skin unless used as an external sugar scrub.
Enjoy your holiday season and all the wonderful food it has to offer while taking care of your skin through good eating and proper sun protection and moisturizing all year round!