Foods To Make You Prettier, Healthier: Carrots, Almonds, Watermelon
NEW YORK (WLNY) -- The key to looking younger and revving up your sex life can be found in your refrigerator rather than your medicine cabinet. Dr. Nicole Avena is a neuroscientist and nutrition expert to show us that food is nature's best medicine.
Check out what she has to say about these foods, which pack some secret beauty boosters:
Red Bell Peppers: This veggie is packed with skin-protecting antioxidants, molecules that counteract the collagen-degrading and cell-damaging free radicals. Along with layering on a topical antioxidant daily, getting them from the inside out can help protect skin and keep it healthy and youthful.
Watermelon: This sweet and watery snack could act like a natural Viagra - well, sort of. Watermelon contains citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide levels in the body, which can relax blood vessels in the same way a medicine like Viagra does.
Chili Peppers: Capsaicin, a chemical found in fiery peppers, increases circulation to get blood pumping and stimulates nerve endings so you'll feel more turned on.
Avocado: Want another reason to love guac? Avocados are rich in glutathione a known antioxidant and detoxifier that blocks intestine absorption of certain fats that cause oxidative damage - the process that creates free radical compounds, which instigate premature aging. The result: All your cells, including those in your skin, are healthier. Plus, the glutathione can help recharge other antioxidants, too, for extra youth boosting. But, don't devour guac like crazy. Try to stick to a single serving (about a quarter of an avocado) because of the high fat content. Or, simply use a few slivers to give your salad or sandwich some anti-aging power.
Leafy Green Vegetables: Spinach and kale are laced with lutein, a yellow coloring that is found in the leaves of plants (and also in egg yolk) that helps your skin. Scientists have proven that it can help against inflammation caused by UV exposure. And, since sunlight is the number-one cause of aging (wrinkles, lax skin, and excess pigment), you've got another good reason to eat your greens.
Cashews, Almonds, And Hazelnuts: Studies show that low levels of magnesium, a crucial mineral for overall health, may cause the body to not utilize energy stores as efficiently. Low levels may also alter how well your body uses oxygen and burns calories, all of which can make you feel amped-up. Magnesium helps prevent energy drains by converting sugar into energy. So, instead of going for the easy energy raiser - processed sugar or caffeine - try a handful of these nuts to push past the 3 p.m. slump.
Raw Carrots: Carrots are rich in glucose, which is required by the brain to function. But, that doesn't mean you've got the green light to carb load when you want to ace it at work. Instead, simply munch on some carrot sticks throughout the day, not in one sitting. They will give your brain a steady dose. But, keep it at around five or so a day because carrots have more sugar than other vegetables.
