Natural Beauty: Foods That Reap Benefits From the Inside Out

Improve five areas on your body through the foods you eat.

Eat Right - Rather than spending money on facials, beauty creams and cover-ups, why not start exuding beauty from the inside out? A well-balanced diet not only keeps your organs functioning properly, it also translates to a healthier appearance as well. Here’s how you can improve five areas on your body simply through the foods you eat. (Photo: Creative Commons via Flickr User Luminis Kanto)

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Eat Right - Rather than spending money on facials, beauty creams and cover-ups, why not start exuding beauty from the inside out? A well-balanced diet not only keeps your organs functioning properly, it also translates to a healthier appearance as well. Here’s how you can improve five areas on your body simply through the foods you eat. (Photo: Creative Commons via Flickr User Luminis Kanto)

Eat Right - There are foods that you can eat that will help. From the omega 3s in salmon to the fat burning antioxidants in blueberries to the B6 found in sunflower seeds, all will help. Read more about foods that help banish cellulite at Womens.Day.Com. (Photo: Patrick Pleul/DPA/LANDOV)

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Skin - They say you are what you eat, and if you’re consuming nothing but junk, it will show up on your face. For better skin, eat well-balanced meals and make sure you include plenty of vitamin A-rich foods (mangos, carrots and low-fat dairy products), vitamin E (almonds, sunflower seeds and peanuts) and antioxidants (blueberries, strawberries and plums) to your diet. And don’t forget to drink water to keep skin hydrated.(Photo: DPA/Landov)

Nails - If you have brittle fingernails, make sure you’re eating enough foods that are high in iron, zinc and calcium. Options like poultry, hard-boiled eggs, milk and sardines will nourish fingernails while a biotin supplement will help you grow firmer and longer nails. (Photo: Patricia Beck/Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)

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Nails - If you have brittle fingernails, make sure you’re eating enough foods that are high in iron, zinc and calcium. Options like poultry, hard-boiled eggs, milk and sardines will nourish fingernails while a biotin supplement will help you grow firmer and longer nails. (Photo: Patricia Beck/Detroit Free Press/MCT/Landov)

Fish Oil Can Dramatically Lower Your Risk - The omega-3s in fatty fish like salmon and fish oil supplements has been shown to reduce risk of breast cancer by 32 percent.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Hair - Promote healthy hair with vitamin D and calcium that are found in low-fat dairy products. Filled with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-12, iron, and protein, salmon increases scalp health. Vegetarians can substitute with flax seed to ward off a dry, itchy scalp. For a natural conditioner, eat vitamin A- and C-rich spinach to maintain the production of sebum, which keeps hair follicles oily. Nuts (walnuts, Brazil nuts) also play a role in hair health, as a zinc deficiency could lead to hair loss.(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Where's the Calcium? - Most adults need 1000 mg of calcium a day. Leafy greens and fortified drinks such as orange juice and nut milks are an excellent source of this bone-friendly nutrient. And eating animal protein has actually been linked to calcium loss, so going meat-free can help you retain more of it. (Photo: dpa /Landov)

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Breath - You can combat bad breath by brushing your teeth and tongue properly and flossing every day, but the foods you eat can also impact your breath. Water acts as a cleansing agent and washes out stinky food culprits while crunchy fruits and veggies loosen up particles. To decrease mouth bacteria, eat foods with Vitamin D like fortified yogurt, orange juice and eggs. (Photo: dpa/Landov)

Eastern Market - The city’s oldest open-air market not only sells farm fresh produce, meat, cheeses and flowers, but it’s also a great place to hunt for artwork, antiques and handmade crafts.(Photo: UPI Photo/Landov)

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Bones and Teeth - Having shiny hair and clear skin won’t matter much if you’re huddled over from a weak skeletal structure. Keep your frame sharp with calcium found in low-fat dairy products, leafy green vegetables and tofu. You can also buy calcium-fortified foods when you go grocery shopping. Although calcium is at the top of the list for strong bones, you also need a healthy dose of magnesium (whole grains and nuts), vitamin D (fortified cereal, shrimp, egg yolk and daily exposure to sunlight), and vitamin K (brussel sprouts and collard greens) to aid in calcium absorption and regulation throughout the body.(Photo: UPI Photo/Landov)