Aging is a natural process, the signs of which start appearing when we enter into our 30s. Early age fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots are the premature aging signs which make us look older than our age and affect our overall beauty and personality. There are numerous natural foods that can significantly help in slowing the aging process. Some of them include avocados, spinach, blueberry, etc. These foods help in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and providing a youthful glow.
Collagen is a type of protein in the body which is extremely beneficial in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and strengthening and shaping tissues, muscles, and bones. 30 percent of the total protein in the body is collagen and amino acids are the building blocks of these proteins. As we age, the collagen content tends to decline (the collagen content per unit area of the skin decreases by 1% every year), due to which we develop the signs of aging.
Some of the collagen-rich foods to slow down aging are discussed below in detail.
5 Foods Rich in Collagen to Slow down Aging:
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Fish:
Fish collagen contains peptides which have the best bio-availability and absorption. These proteins get absorbed into your skin, joints, bones, and tissues. Fish scraps, such as scales and bones are rich sources of fish collagen. Fishes, such as salmon, are rich in zinc and supply collagen to the proteins. It also contains an ample amount of Omega-3 fatty acids which build healthy skin cells and provide a youthful glow. Fish is one of the best collagen-rich foods to slow down aging.
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Water:
Water contains a high amount of collagen. Drinking water is the easiest and best way to supply collagen to the proteins in our body. Water helps in getting rid of skin-damaging toxins and retains moisture. It also accelerates the fiber formation in the body and strengthens the collagen, so as to plump up the skin cells. This helps in filling the fine lines and wrinkles and thus, slowing the aging process.
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Seeds and Nuts:
Different varieties of seeds and nuts provide such health benefits which even vitamins and proteins don’t offer. Most of the nuts and seeds are helpful in boosting your collagen levels naturally. Some of them are discussed below with their benefits in detail.
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Sunflower Seeds:
Sunflower seeds have collagen-building ingredients like zinc and protein. It also contains vitamins B1 and magnesium which give us a healthy glow.
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Almonds:
Almonds contain proteins that help support collagen production. It also has monosaturated fats, zinc, copper, calcium, and vitamins B1, B5, B6, and E, due to which it offers several anti-aging skin benefits.
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Pumpkin Seeds:
Pumpkin seeds are helpful in improving the health of the skin, building protein, and combating inflammation and pain. It also contains a copious amount of zinc to fight free radicals.
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Chia Seeds
Chia seeds offer several skin-related benefits. The omega-3 content in them is much more than the fish and meat.
These seeds and nuts significantly reverse aging signs.
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Garlic:
Garlic offers several health and skin-related benefits. It is known to boost the collagen levels and is high in sulfur, which helps in rebuilding the skin fibers.
Garlic additionally has antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radical damage happens when the skin is harmed by pollution, causing aging symptoms. Garlic is also among the best collagen-rich foods to slow down aging.
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Fermented Foods:
Gut bacteria are found in fermented foods, such as yogurt, etc. These bacteria are the reason behind both, a radiant and wrinkle-free skin, and fast skin aging. This is because, the good gut bacteria help in supplying the skin with the required nutrients and bad gut bacteria may cause a leaky gut and allow toxins to flee the intestines and create inflammation throughout the skin and body. Overall fermented foods are the best to eat to stop aging.
Reference : mindbodygreen.com/8-antiaging-foods-for-glowing-vibrant-skin