Does coffee do my skin any good?

How many times have you looked in the mirror, at least once in a while, if not everyday, and wished that your skin was healthier and more glowing!

Most of us know that one of the foremost ways to do that is by using good skin care products , which are nowadays enriched in antioxidants – healthy compounds that play a role in protecting your skin cells from damage and premature aging.

But what you may not have known is that these antioxidants are derived from foods we consume everyday!

What foods are antioxidant-rich?

Antioxidants are found abundantly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Dates, red grapes, cranberries, pomegranates, apples, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, and green tea are rich sources of antioxidants.

Additionally, as proven by research, coffee too has been shown to provide substantial antioxidant benefits!  In fact, 3-5 cups of coffee a day provide you with around 60% of your average daily antioxidant intake.

So what do antioxidants do?

Antioxidants in foods primarily consist of Vitamins A, C, E, selenium, lycopenes, flavanoids, and polyphenols. They are nature’s way of helping keep our bodies young, healthy, and protected. The more antioxidants you have protecting your cells, the healthier your cells and body will be.

And how do they help protect skin cells?

• By fighting free radicals: Antioxidants play an important role in fighting free radicals – harmful compounds that can damage our body cells, including our skin cells, consequently speeding up the aging process. The damaging effects of free radicals on our skin are further increased when we are exposed to pollution and UV rays. This is why antioxidants might have a beneficial role in protecting our body cells from these free radicals.
• By stimulating the antioxidant effect in the body: Polyphenols, the main type of antioxidants found in coffee, can play a role in reducing oxidation (cell damage) and increasing the effect of other antioxidants mainly Vitamin E. This in turn helps stimulate the overall antioxidant effect in our body and skin cells.

Here are some daily steps for a healthier looking skin:

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables as part of your daily balanced diet. These are an excellent source of antioxidants and also provide your body with fibre, essential vitamins, and minerals.
• Drink plenty of water – at least 8 cups/day
• Cleanse (clean your skin daily from dust and pollutants)
• Moisturise (use your skin care products to keep your skin moisturised)
• Use SPF ( protect your skin against harmful UV rays)
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle (especially avoid smoking)
• And, of course, indulge in your favourite cup of coffee for extra antioxidants.

So the next time you sip on a soothing cup of coffee, you can relax knowing that its antioxidant properties could probably provide more than just an energising start to your day.