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Fine lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging, but thankfully through a combination of a solid skincare routine and healthy eating it’s easier than ever to keep signs of growing older in your appearance at bay. While following the basics like wearing sunscreen daily, getting enough sleep, hydrating, and creating a personalized skincare regimen may be enough for some people, you may want to give your skin that extra boost by tailoring your diet to also provide your body with anti-aging properties. Regardless of your age, this is the one food that health experts say you should be eating regularly to combat early signs of fine lines and wrinkles while fading existing ones.
Healthy fats are a necessary addition to your diet to support your overall health, but they can also have a profound effect on your skin as well. In particular, avocados are one of the best healthy fats you should be eating to maintain a bright and glowing complexion. “Avocados are also nutrient boosters, which means they can help enhance the body's absorption of vitamin A and other fat-soluble nutrients,” nutritionist Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN tells Prevention. “Ultimately, this function may lead to boosting the protective effect some of these nutrients have on skin health—and overall health.”
Promoting elasticity in the skin and protecting your complexion from damage are vital for maintaining an ageless appearance, and studies have shown that the fats found in avocado can be beneficial in both aspects. Healthline reports, “A 2010 study of over 700 women looked at the relationship between the condition of the skin and the intake of fats and antioxidant micronutrients. The researchers concluded that a high intake of fat — especially healthy monounsaturated fat, like the fat found in avocados — helped increase skin elasticity and reduced the appearance of wrinkles.” Eating avocado regularly can help boost the skin, and in conjunction with a great skincare regimen, can work in the long term to reduce signs of aging.
So what makes the healthy fat in avocado so special? Dietitian Dana James explains to Byrdie, “Avocado contains a fat so tiny it can slip through membranes and protect the mitochondria and DNA from free radical damage. This means more radiant skin!” Free radical damage can act to age you further, so providing an added layer of protection to your skin through your diet can make a significant difference in the longevity of your appearance. However you like to eat your avocado is up to you, but combining it with a collagen boosting food such as egg whites or citrus fruit may provide even more benefits over time.
Now when you make your avocado toast every morning you can know that you’re nourishing both your body and your skin with this healthy fat. Protecting your complexion from free radical damage, improving elasticity and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, avocados are the superfood that keeps on giving. While it’s still important to follow all the skincare measures you already have made habits in your day to day routine, eating avocado more regularly can act as an added barrier to slow down signs of aging so your skin can glow no matter how old you are.
