Research on the best foods that a pregnant woman can take for her baby’s skin is limited. However, in general, some foods have drawn particular attention for helping to enhance the skin. These include:
Cherries and berries
Cherries and berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are amongst the highest antioxidant-containing fruits. Antioxidants help to prevent premature ageing by reducing the damaging effects caused by free radicals.
Deep sea fatty fish
“Deep sea fatty fishes such as tuna, salmon and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids,” say dietitians from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital(KKH), a member of the SingHealth group. These essential fatty acids help to repair cell membranes, which in turn help to ensure your baby’s skin elasticity.
Avocado
Avocado is a fruit that is known to be rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. Both these vitamins are known for their antioxidant properties. Vitamin C also helps in reducing inflammation and is essential for collagen production in the body. The production of collagen, in turn, improves your baby’s skin tone.
Tomato
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, especially in the skin of tomatoes, gives this fruit its bright red colour. Studies have found that lycopene is able to help protect the skin against harmful UV rays from sun exposure.
In general, many of the best foods for healthy skin also promote good health. Nothing plays a more important role than having a well-balanced diet that includes a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as well as adequate fluid to achieve healthy and radiant skin.
The above article is reproduced with permission from HealthXchange.sg: Trusted health tips tailored for Asia, by Singapore’s largest academic medical centre, SingHealth.
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