1. 5 Fruits for a glowing skin
TNN Dec 23, 2013, 12.00AM IST
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(Pulpy pleasures )
That fruits are the best medicine is a wellknown fact.
We also know that a cup of fruit juice a day is sure to guarantee a clear complexion. How
about a massage with a fruit pulp or a fruit facial? Fruit facials have been there for at least a
decade now. But with people getting more wary of effect of chemicals on the skin, a majority
of them are now resorting to using something from their own kitchen. What better way to
pamper your skin than with pure stuff which is free of toxins and not harmful to your skin?
Besides the fact that they hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, the very smell of a fruit on your
face is quite de-stressing. Unlike the chemical beauty treatments, fruits are cost-effective,
natural and also bring a visible difference. Here are a few fruits and their properties, choose
what suits you best!
Banana: This is one fruit that's abundantly available in India all through the year. We
know it's a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium and helps reduce menstrual
cramps. The effect of banana on skin too is not something that can be ignored. Bananas are
rich in vitamin A, B and E and hence works as an anti-aging agent. A fresh mashed banana
facial can do wonders for your skin.
Lemon: Lemon juice is an important ingredient in most Indian recipes. This is also a fruit
of all seasons and almost always finds place on your kitchen shelf or refrigerator. With its
vitamin C content, its juice will keep your skin beautiful. A glass of warm water with a tsp of

2. honey and a dash of lemon juice on an empty stomach every morning is a great skin
cleanser. With its astringent properties, it can be used to lighten the skin tone and also
diminish acne scars. Rub the inside of a lemon peel on your elbow remove dark spots. Mix
lemon and honey and use it as a natural bleach on your skin.Apple: An apple a day keeps the
doctor away is cliched, but its health benefits are undisputable. Apple's antioxidant property
prevents cell and tissue damage. Studies by nutritionists have shown that apples contain
abundant amounts of elastin and collagen that help keep the skin young. Applying a mixture
of mashed apple, honey, rose water and oatmeal can act as a great exfoliating mask on your
skin.
Orange: Rich in vitamin C that improves skin texture. Like apple, orange too contains
collagen that slows skin aging process. Rub the insides of orange on your skin to tighten the
skin. Oranges can be dried and powdered and used as a natural scrub. Like lemon, oranges
too help clear skin blemishes.
Papaya: The benefits of this fruit on skin have perhaps been talked about since the time of
our ancestors. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contain a special enzyme called papain
that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities. A glass of papaya milk or just applying the
flesh of papaya on your skin can do wonders to your skin.
Mango: Rightly called the king of fruits for not just its taste but also for health benefits.
The soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on skin too. Rich in vitamin-A and rich
antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, regenerates skin cells and restores the elasticity of
skin.
As an individual who is concerned about how the food that I eat affects my appearance, I find myself
frequently researching the issue. In so doing, I have discovered that there are many foods that
contribute to healthy skin. Here are three:
1. Melon.
An acquaintance in high school once referenced the fact that melon improves the appearance of one's
skin during a presentation she made. Although I understood what she was talking about then, I
didn't give it much thought. Yet in preparing for a pageant several years ago, I took the advice to
heart and began consuming the fruit consistently. Sure enough, my skin acquired a healthy glow
after about two weeks. In citing how melon improves the skin's appearance, Health magazine writer
Allie Vasilakis quotes the findings of Dawn Gallagher on the issue. In summarizing the positive
effects of melons, theNature's Beauty Secrets author notes that "They contain lycopene and vitamins
A and C, all of which help your body fight the free radicals that cause cell damage and, ultimately, the
signs of aging." Thus melon consumption can greatly contribute to healthy skin.
2. Oranges.
Although oranges are a great food to consume given the fact that they taste great, eating the fruit can
also play a role in making your skin look good. In his article on how eating oranges affects the

3. skin,writer Caleb McAllister notes the findings of the National Institutes of Health. According to the
Institute, oranges are a part of the chemical group alpha hydroxyl acids. This acid is an exfoliator
that removes dead skin cells and cleanses pores, two acts that contribute to acne prevention.
Ultimately then, eating oranges can lead to zit-free skin.
3. Bananas.
In reporting on the positive effects that bananas have on your face, eHow contributor Kelly
Sundstrum notes that "Bananas help the body produce good bacteria, and help flush out the bad
bacteria that helps to cause acne." Ultimately then, eating bananas can contribute to better skin. In
addition to citing how banana consumption contributers to better skin, Sundstrum also offers
readers a unique way to consume bananas. Her recipe includes using the fruit as one component in
an acne-fighting smoothie that also contains healthy foods like spinach and blueberries.
While many of us may have been consuming the aforementioned fruits because of their delicious
taste, it is good to know that eating them can also make our skin look great. Personally, I like to eat
melon by itself and blend bananas and oranges into a smoothie that has a pleasant citrusy flavor.
Bon appétit!
The 10 Best Foods For Your Skin
Almonds
Skin boost: Sun Blocker
Almonds are stuffed with vitamin E, which helps defend against sun damage. Volunteers who consumed
14 milligrams of the vitamin per day (about 20 almonds) and then were exposed to UV light burned less
than those who took none. And because vitamin E is an antioxidant, it also works to keep your arteries
free of dangerous free radicals.
The 10 Best Foods For Your Skin
Flaxseeds
Skin boost: Wrinkle Fighter
These little seeds offer a payload of omega-3 fatty acids, which erase spots and iron out fine lines. The
British Journal of Nutrition reported that participants in one study who downed about half a teaspoon of o-

4. 3s in 6 weeks experienced significantly less irritation and redness, along with better-hydrated skin.
Beyond flax, salmon is an omega king.