7 Beauty Foods That Just Might Make You Smarter Too
Food is a great way to enhance your beauty, as what we eat has a huge influence on our outward appearance. There are several foods that are known for enhancing beauty. But did you know that some of those same foods can also help your brain too? It all comes down to nutrients and antioxidants in foods, both of which can improve your brain function and make you more beautiful too. Who doesn’t want more beauty and brains? These foods make it easier for you to enhance both, and they are easy to incorporate into your daily food regimen as well. If you are ready to eat your way to a more appealing outward appearance and a higher functioning brain, check out these 7 beauty foods that just might make you smarter too.
Salmon
Salmon is a great fish to consume for both beauty and brains. This fish is very high in omega 3 fatty acids, which work wonders for memory and focus, and can also treat and even prevent depression. These same components that protect brain health are also great for beauty. Salmon can help to enhance your skin by keeping it soft and supple through higher moisturization. It can also strengthen your hair and nails, and give you an overall natural glow.
Avocados
Avocados are a great beauty and brains food, and are very simple to add to a variety of recipes. They are full of B vitamins, good fats, protein, magnesium and potassium. The healthy fats in avocados will help your skin stay moist and soft, as well as clear by fighting against acne. The healthy fats, antioxidants and B vitamins are great for your brain as well, by helping to fight depression, improve mood and strengthen memory.
Acai Berries
Acai is truly a superfood, boosting your body in so many ways. Acai is also high in Omega 3 fatty acids, as well as amino acids and antioxidants, which are wonderful at protecting the whole body from free radical damage. Acai is great for your brain as it has been linked to improved gastrointestinal function — this is great for your brain due to the brain-gut axis. It is also linked to lowered stress and improved mood.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are wonderful additions to brains and beauty foods. Chia is full of B vitamins, fiber, protein, iron, Omega 3s, and potassium. With just one or two tablespoons a day, you will soon begin to see an improvement in your hair, skin and nails. They are also great for your brain, because again, they are great for your gut. They act like tiny little scrubbers in your gut and pick up toxins and waste as they move out of the body.
Green Tea
Many people are aware of the benefits of green tea, namely because of its high content of antioxidants and L-Theanine. This compound is great for stress reduction and lowering inflammation throughout the whole body. It can also help to improve memory and fatigue issues related to aging. Green tea is also wonderful for reducing wrinkles and clearing skin.
Spinach
Another great food for beauty and brains is spinach. This is a superfood in itself, full of many nutrients like Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, chlorophyll, and protein. It also contains iron, fiber, B vitamins and folate. All of these elements combined make it a great option to enhance memory, reduce stress and boost your mood. Spinach is also great for your skin, and can help you lose weight and create more tone and definition throughout your body. It is very easy to incorporate into your daily meals as well — try using it as a base for salad, sauteed as a side dish, folded into eggs or an omelet, or mixed in with a smoothie.
Cacao
Cacao is the raw form of chocolate and it is a wonderful food to consume for your external looks and to improve brain function. In this raw form, cacao retains all of its natural nutrients and benefits. Experts say that it is the most antioxidant rich food, per ounce, on Earth. The chemicals and components in cacao have so many benefits, like boosted energy, decreased stress, improved focus, lower depression and mood issues. It is also great for beauty, as it can help hair grow longer and more shiny, improve nail growth and strength, and enhance skin.