Self Staffers
Blueberries aren’t just perfect for topping your yogurt or for making pies – they’re great for maintaining beautiful skin, too! Nosh on this sweet, antioxidant-rich food and reap the skin benefits.
The skinny:
Eating blueberries not only tastes good, but can make you look good as well because they increase circulation to help your skin glow. Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh – R.D.s and co-owners of C&J Nutrition in Manhattan – understand the beautifying benefits of these little snacks. “That deep blue/purple color that makes blueberries so gorgeous translates to helping your skin look young too,” says Clarke. “This color is a result of compounds called anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that shield the skin against harmful free radicals that can damage the collagen that keeps your skin firm.”
“On top of that, blueberries are also packed with vitamin C, another antioxidant crucial for collagen production,” adds Jarosh. Antioxidants are nature’s fountain of youth, and blueberries are simply bursting with ’em. Additionally, the phytonutrients in blueberries (organic plant compounds that are thought to aid in human health) can help curb skin cancer!
Pro-tips:
One cup of sweet blueberries makes for an energizing, 84-calorie bite.
Didn’t get your beauty rest? Make up for it with this recipe from Clarke and Jarosh: Make yourself a blueberry beauty smoothie by blending 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries with 1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt, 1/4 cup orange juice, and 1/2 medium banana (add ice for a frothier smoothie).
Try out a blueberry face mask to nourish your skin! There are tons of different varieties to choose from – do some research and find the one that’s best for your skin type.
If you’re worried your berries won’t last very long, pop them in the freezer to enjoy for longer! Just avoid thawing and then re-freezing them; their texture won’t be as palatable.
Courtesy self.com.
