I’m coming home from spring break today and went on a great trip to Cancun with my family so I thought I would write about summer skin after my skin took a beating. With Summer is just around the corner… Ok that may be wishful thinking, but it is not too early to start getting your skin ready for its summer debut. Glowing skin the summer is a must, but getting dry, scaly, winter skin ready for exposure is tricky. However, great skin doesn’t require expensive creams and laser treatments; small changes in your diet can have substantial effects. Try incorporating these tips into your diet, and see the changes in your skin!

1.) Low-Glycemic Index: Consuming foods with a high glycemic index tend to promote acne, while a diet full of low glycemic index foods encourages healthy skin. In a recent study, acne in participants decreased when on a high protein, low glycemic index food diet. There is a connection between foods that don’t spike blood sugar (low glycemic index) and radiant skin.

~Swaps:
-Use multi-grain bread instead white bread for your sandwich
-For breakfast, eat bran cereal instead of cornflakes
-Enjoy sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes as a dinner side

2.) Chocolate: Dark chocolate (sorry, not milk chocolate!) is loaded with flavonols, which are believed to benefit skin appearance by increasing blood flow to the skin. Flavonols also absorb UV radiation, protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Enjoy rich dark chocolate in moderation because it is still high in calories!

3.) Green Tea: The benefits to skin from green tea are numerous. It contains nutrients to decrease inflammation, protect against the UV rays from the sun, and even prevent cancer. You don’t like green tea? Not a problem, the benefits can be seen whether green tea is ingested or applied topically.

4.) Antioxidants: Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which otherwise will cause damage to the cells of your body. This damage makes the skin appear older and more dull. Antioxidants are abundant in blackberries, blueberries, plums, and strawberries.

5.) Water: Your cells need hydration to get that glowing look. Drinking around eight glasses of water should be enough to keep your cells saturated and keep your cells flushed from toxins. Add cucumber or slices of citrus fruit to your water for added flavor!

What are some of your skin regiments to get your skin glowing for summer?

By Mitzi Dulan and research assistance by Kaylee O’Connell.

For thousands of years, and reaching to the far corners of the world, tea has been considered a potent elixir of life. Used to treat everything from anxiety to acne to liver disease, tea was the “cure all” medicine of choice. Now, cutting edge scientific research is proving that we have been right all along.

The powerful health benefits of tea can be attributed to compounds called flavonoids. These naturally occurring antioxidants are a major defense against free radicals in the body that cause various diseases. Studies have shown that drinking 2-8 cups of tea a day can help lower cholesterol, reduce signs of aging, and protect against cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

All-natural, antioxidant-rich, and calorie-free, it’s no surprise that tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. But with so many types to choose from—white, green, yerba mate, black, etc.—which one works best for you?

Pour yourself a nice cup of tea and read on to learn more…

White
-Highest in antioxidants
-Least processed
-Low in caffeine
-Studies show lower risk of lung, colon and skin cancer
-Taste: Sweet and subtle

Green
-contains EGCG complex—good for metabolism
-Regulates blood sugar
-Helps prevent cavities
-Taste: Bitter and subtle

Yerba Mate:
-Suppresses appetite
-Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
-Contains stimulant similar to caffeine (without the jitters or coffee crash)
-Taste: Strong and flavorful

Black
-High in caffeine
-Studies link to lower cholesterol and blood pressure
-Most popular tea in Western world
-Taste: Full-bodied

What’s your favorite tea? Do you like hot or iced? Do you add milk or sweeteners?

By Mitzi Dulan with assistance provided by Kristen Carlucci.