We spend time and money investing in beauty products to enhance our appearance, but we often forget that our diet also plays a vital part in how we look. Eating a healthy diet is important for health and weight, but involving certain foods in your daily eating regime can have great benefits for your looks. Anti ageing superfoods give you a healthy glow that comes from within.

Quinoa

Available from health food stores, the grain is cooked in a similar way to rice and is rich in good natural fats. It is also the best non-meat source of protein, which keeps skin looking young and healthy by kick starting the production of collagen.

Anchovies

High in Omega-3, anchovies and other oily fish (such as mackerel, salmon and tuna) are excellent fish to eat to nourish your skin.

Blueberries

The blue colour in blueberries is Anthocyanin, which keeps Collagen strong, making blueberries a fantastic Anti-Ageing food.

Seaweed

A good source of Iodine, essential for skin repair. Add to salads, stocks and soups to get your fix.

Dried Fruit

Drying concentrates the skin-protective Anti-Oxidants in fruit –giving you more collagen boosting power to fight wrinkles!

Nuts

Packed with protein and minerals like Selenium, Zinc and Magnesium, nuts provide essential nutrients that women can lack in their diets.

Soya

Drinking Soya in place of your regular dairy milk helps to increase levels of Oestrogen, which helps skin keep its glow.

Uncooked brightly coloured vegetables

These are full of Anti-Oxidants, which, amongst other important functions, play a major role in destroying free radicals. Free radicals attack skin collagen, which keeps skin plump and elastic.

Seeds

Just a small amount of seeds provides essential Omega 3 fatty acids to help maintain healthy cells and skin. All seeds are nutritional powerhouses. Sesame seeds are high in Calcium required for strong bones and teeth, while sunflower seeds are also an important source of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an important Anti-Oxidant vitamin essential for healthy skin.

Anti ageing superfoods keep your brain happy!

Western 21st Century diet is low in Omega-3, which is bad news for our brains! Countries that eat a diet rich in Omega-3 (such as Japan and Taiwan) report the lowest rates of depression and Bi-Polar disorder. Keeping your brain happier means you have a higher level of endorphins in your system, which Dr Házem Kahlout, Medical Director of Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic in Dublin, explains help ‘reduce tightness and help soften and relax the face to portray a happier and more youthful you’. So eat nuts, seeds and oily fish to keep your brain healthy and your face smiling – the best beauty trick for everyone!