Five superfoods that do wonders for your skin and body

Your mother was right. You need to eat your greens! Thankfully, there are plenty of options to choose from, and given those options, even the most reluctant vegetable-eater can find something that he or she likes. Dark, leafy green vegetables, like spinach, kale, arugula, and more are great for the skin because they contain high levels of vitamins A, C, E, K and some B, all of which are vital for skin health. Additionally, the fiber present in dark, leafy vegetables helps to cleanse the digestive tract, which, in turn, oftentimes clears stubborn acne patches. Heavier cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, radishes and kohlrabi are also beneficial for the skin, especially when eaten raw. Like green tea, studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables may have the ability to halt certain types of cancers, and, like chocolate, they have high levels of sulphur, the chemical that produces healthier skin, hair, and nails.The best way to eat leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables is, again, to consume them raw. Even lightly steaming these vegetables can kill many of the vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary to receive all the good benefits. Don't worry about negative after-effects, though; many find these vegetables easier to digest when eaten raw. Raw cacao has hit the health food industry by storm, and rightly so. Raw cacao, chocolate's pure, raw form, is so loaded with antioxidants that no other food can compare. It also contains high levels of sulphur, which help to build healthy and resilient hair, nails, and skin. The sulphur in raw cacao also detoxifies the liver, another benefit of skin, as a liver holding many toxins is oftentimes a root cause of stubborn acne. Raw cacao can be purchased in specialty shops and health food stores, as powder, nibs, or whole beans. Be sure to purchase only cacao that says "raw" and "organic" on the package, in order to receive the most benefits. Green tea is also laden with antioxidants, but in a warmer, more readily-available form than fresh fruit. in addition to antioxidant activity, however, it provides a host of health and beauty benefits. Studies done on animals have shown that green tea protects the skin from skin cancer, as well as the effects of photoaging (that's what happens when the sun ruins your skin). Additionally, green tea calms inflammation found all over the body, including the skin. Experts recommend drinking anywhere from 3-10 glasses of green tea per day for optimal health, although a green tea supplement is also available for those who prefer to avoid the caffeine. Additionally, some holistic skincare practitioners use both steeped and cooled teabags and ice cubes made from green tea as a toner, or underneath a gel or cream mask during a skincare treatment. View the list »
Berries are one of the most easily-attainable superfoods in Michigan. In fact, many Michiganders outside of Detroit (and maybe even within Detroit) grew up running barefoot across fields and spacious backyards, most of which likely had a patch or two of raspberries, a bush of blueberries, or maybe even a berry or cherry tree. In fact, many in the norther US region don't realize just how lucky we are to have such a resource; after all, even if access to free, wild berries isn't possible, they're quite inexpensive at Meijer throughout the summer. Berries are so good for the skin because they have an extremely high antioxidant content. The vibrant colors berries possess prove this. Antioxidants are great for the skin because they fight against the free radicals that are known to accelerate aging. Additionally, some experts say that the antioxidants in berries actually protect the skin against the sun's harmful rays--talk about a tasty sunscreen! 

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These days, everyone has heard about superfoods, and their effects on health. Most of these foods have exotic names and locales. However, did you know that there are some quite common foods that qualify as superfoods? More to the point, many also double as beauty miracles, working from the inside out (and sometimes on the outside as well) to give a gorgeous, healthy glow.

Here are five powerful superfoods that have been proven to effect the body's outer appearance in a measurable, positive way.

After reading the list, be sure to check out Astrid Bidanec's article on superfoods for health and weight loss.

View the list
  • Berries are one of the most easily-attainable superfoods in Michigan. In fact, many Michiganders outside of Detroit (and maybe even within Detroit) grew up running barefoot across fields and spacious backyards, most of which likely had a patch or two of raspberries, a bush of blueberries, or maybe even a berry or cherry tree. In fact, many in the norther US region don't realize just how lucky we are to have such a resource; after all, even if access to free, wild berries isn't possible, they're quite inexpensive at Meijer throughout the summer. Berries are so good for the skin because they have an extremely high antioxidant content. The vibrant colors berries possess prove this. Antioxidants are great for the skin because they fight against the free radicals that are known to accelerate aging. Additionally, some experts say that the antioxidants in berries actually protect the skin against the sun's harmful rays--talk about a tasty sunscreen! 
  • Green tea is also laden with antioxidants, but in a warmer, more readily-available form than fresh fruit. in addition to antioxidant activity, however, it provides a host of health and beauty benefits. Studies done on animals have shown that green tea protects the skin from skin cancer, as well as the effects of photoaging (that's what happens when the sun ruins your skin). Additionally, green tea calms inflammation found all over the body, including the skin. Experts recommend drinking anywhere from 3-10 glasses of green tea per day for optimal health, although a green tea supplement is also available for those who prefer to avoid the caffeine. Additionally, some holistic skincare practitioners use both steeped and cooled teabags and ice cubes made from green tea as a toner, or underneath a gel or cream mask during a skincare treatment. 
  • Raw cacao has hit the health food industry by storm, and rightly so. Raw cacao, chocolate's pure, raw form, is so loaded with antioxidants that no other food can compare. It also contains high levels of sulphur, which help to build healthy and resilient hair, nails, and skin. The sulphur in raw cacao also detoxifies the liver, another benefit of skin, as a liver holding many toxins is oftentimes a root cause of stubborn acne. Raw cacao can be purchased in specialty shops and health food stores, as powder, nibs, or whole beans. Be sure to purchase only cacao that says "raw" and "organic" on the package, in order to receive the most benefits. 
  • Your mother was right. You need to eat your greens! Thankfully, there are plenty of options to choose from, and given those options, even the most reluctant vegetable-eater can find something that he or she likes. Dark, leafy green vegetables, like spinach, kale, arugula, and more are great for the skin because they contain high levels of vitamins A, C, E, K and some B, all of which are vital for skin health. Additionally, the fiber present in dark, leafy vegetables helps to cleanse the digestive tract, which, in turn, oftentimes clears stubborn acne patches. Heavier cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, radishes and kohlrabi are also beneficial for the skin, especially when eaten raw. Like green tea, studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables may have the ability to halt certain types of cancers, and, like chocolate, they have high levels of sulphur, the chemical that produces healthier skin, hair, and nails.The best way to eat leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables is, again, to consume them raw. Even lightly steaming these vegetables can kill many of the vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary to receive all the good benefits. Don't worry about negative after-effects, though; many find these vegetables easier to digest when eaten raw. 
  • Coconut and natural, raw coconut products have such a slew of beauty-enhancing properties that it's difficult to know where to begin. In fact, in cultures that have been surrounded by coconut trees for centuries, these palms are referred to as "The Tree of Life," not only for coconuts' beauty benefits, but for the many uses of every single part of the tree. Considered in the 1980s and 1990s to be unhealthy, coconut and its related products have since been proven to be some of the most beneficial on the planet. Be sure to avoid processed coconut products--instead, opt for pure, fresh coconut, coconut water, raw, extra-virgin coconut oil, and other similar coconut products. Consuming pure coconut products is an extremely healthy practice, as the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids present in coconut work from the inside out to provide a glowing, healthy look.By far, the most popular coconut product for beauty is coconut oil. Coconut oil can be used as a moisturizer for the face, body, hair, and nails, as a shaving cream, a makeup remover and more. Raw coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal, and contains many vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are essential to skin health. Coconut oil has the added benefit of being able to penetrate skin further than store-bought moisturizers. Many people, professional and otherwise, swear by coconut oil in order to get rid of skin conditions and sunburn, and to speed up healing. 
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, Grand Rapids Beauty Examiner

As an international bikini model and former pageant queen, and a professional skincare consultant and makeup artist, Rachel-Elise Cotter knows exactly what it takes to become and stay beautiful. From the best skincare tips and top-model makeup secrets to the best ways to slim down and tone up,...

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