Aside from treating your taste buds, indulging in a daily smoothie can also give a radiant boost to your skin. Packed with antioxidant compounds like vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, and phenolic acids, fruits and vegetables (the key ingredients in your smoothies) act as skin superheroes. This is because, per a review published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, besides giving plant-based foods their distinctive colors, said compounds contribute to your skin’s defense against free radicals, thus helping reduce inflammation and, with it, early signs of skin aging. Moreover, multiple studies have highlighted the positive connection between higher intakes of fruits and vegetables and improved skin health, with benefits extending across various aspects, including skin hydration, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, reddening, collagen, and elasticity.
Plus, according to Medical News Today, adding more fruits and veggies to your diet has also been associated with a healthier, more golden skin tone. Therefore, the next time you plan on enjoying a smoothie, remember that a colorful array of fruits and vegetables holds the key to skin health and aesthetics. As explained in the review, if you want to increase your carotenoid intake, be sure to add yellow, orange, and red fruits like mangoes, melons, and citrus or dark-green leafy vegetables such as kale or spinach. Meanwhile, if you want to focus on anthocyanins and polyphenols, go for deep red or purple-hued fruits like grapes, pomegranates, beets, and passion fruit.