Religiously taking our supplements for skin, hair and nails is all very well but we shouldnt forget that one of the most effective ways to get the best vitamins and nutrients is the old fashioned way, from eating. Just like beauty products, some foods are better than others. Heres our guide to the best bites with the most nutritional benefits...
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Possibly the best news since Robbie re-joined Take That – chocolate (albeit raw) is good for you, in fact it’s great. Unlike its confectionary cousin, raw chocolate hasn’t been heated during production so it retains more anti-aging antioxidant flavinols and vitamin C. The antioxidants protect cells and have anti-blood clotting properties that boost cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks and has twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea. It also increases energy, alertness, creativity and improve mood. All this and containing very little caffeine, there’s not much this Superfood can’t do. You can buy it here - therawchocolateshop.com
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Good news for insomniacs, cherry juice contains melatonin, (the same chemical that the brain makes to bring on sleep) and so can help regulate sleep patterns. Consumed in any form (dried, frozen, juice or fresh), cherries contain high levels of antioxidants, beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) that helps improve overall health, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and fibre. Dieters will be interested to know that they can also help to lower body fat, in particular belly fat by altering abdominal adiposity (the way in which the body stores fat). A cup of juice, like Cherry Active Concentrate - cherryactive.co.uk, frozen or dried cherries makes a single serving.
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Much to our surprise, coffee doesn’t begin its life in a Starbucks cardboard cup, in fact it comes from the coffee fruit. Recent studies now show that coffee berries (extracted from the fruit) are bursting with polyphenols that protect your cells by stopping them oxidising and promotes healthier looking skin, which explains why we are now starting to see them in skincare. Their powerful protecting qualities come from the fruit developing antioxidants to protect it against harmful radiation from the sun and the berries work similarly to protect your skin. Buy skincare containing coffee berries here - prioriskincare.com
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This is earning itself a celebrity following with Anna Paquin, Karolina Kurkova and Demi Moore all papped sipping away. Coconut water is the purest liquid second only to water and is full of electrolytes (valuable minerals for your blood stream), calcium, potassium (more than two bananas worth) and magnesium. The potassium can even help you shift a few unwanted inches as it reduces water retention. Coconut water is a great re-hydrator following exercise and can even go some way to kill the flu. Vita Coco is the celebs coconut water of choice. It’s available nationwide from £1.49.
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New research shows that white button mushrooms enhance the activity of critical cells in the immune system by supporting the dendritic cells in our body to produce white blood cells (which fight infections), which can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. They contain high levels of potassium, which helps to lower elevated blood pressure and also selenium which works with vitamin E to protect the body’s cells from harmful free radicals. Not only that, but they are hydrating as they are made up of 80 to 90 percent water, plus they are super low in calories. All this from the humble white button mushroom.
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Once called ‘forbidden rice’ in ancient China (only nobility were allowed to eat it), black rice is fast gaining speed as a superfood. Recent research has found that it can help to protect against cancer (by scouring for harmful molecules that cause DNA damage) and heart disease. It’s low in sugar and rich in healthy fibre and plant compounds that combat heart disease by reducing atherosclerotic plaque (build up in the valves) which can lead to heart attacks. The black coating of the rice contains vitamin E which improves the appearance of skin. The benefits come from the hard outer coating of the cereal grain, which is normally stripped away to create brown and white rice. You can find black rice in most supermarkets and all Asian supermarkets.