9 Brilliant Beauty Boosting Foods for a Fabulous You ...

Peppers are one of my favorite beauty boosting foods. We've all heard that word 'collagen' bandied around amongst the beauty circles but does anyone actually know what it is? I didn't until I did my research. Collagen is a protein which is found in fibrous tissues such as skin, ligaments and tendons. It accounts for around 30% of the protein content in the human body and it's vital for giving skin its strength and elasticity. When we age, the production of collagen begins to slow down, which accounts for the wrinkles and why this word has become synonymous with anti-aging products and supplements. It's also why so many are in search of the illusive elixir of youth. So, why have I just given you a science lesson and what have peppers got to do with collagen? Well, vitamin C helps promote collagen synthesis and peppers have this vitamin in abundance. The pepper, in its immature form and green in color, contains twice as much vitamin C as an orange! We all know how important vitamin C is for the body to be able fight infection and boost the immune system but it is also vital for healthy skin, ligaments and bones. Peppers are also full of water, which is great for keeping your skin hydrated. So there's no excuse not to pop a pepper or two on your plate!

Copper is an essential mineral which the skin needs in order to retain its softness and radiance, and prawns are a beauty boosting food which contain lots of this. The copper helps create collagen and can also help absorb ultraviolet rays. Copper is also found in other foods such as strawberries and seaweed.

I'll admit, these aren't the most convenient fruits to eat on the go so it's worth preparing the night before and taking in a tub on your travels. It's worth the effort though, as pomegranates promote clear skin and may help against aging, which is excuse enough for me to fill my fruit bowl with these exotic beauties! Pomegranate juice is full of powerful antioxidants and free radicals, which help fight those factors that can accelerate the signs of aging, such as cigarette smoke and pollution. You can also add the seeds to salads for that sweet and savory satisfaction.

I eat avocado nearly every day because it is full of so many vitamins and minerals and because it tastes so delicious. It's also great for dry skin and has so many other health benefits. If you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or acne, the humble avocado's monounsaturated oils can help reduce the symptoms.

Ok, they're not sexy, I was just chasing the alliteration. If you suffer from frequent break-outs or very dry or oily skin, it could be due to a zinc deficiency. Of course, you could take a supplement but there are other delicious sources of zinc you could incorporate into your diet, such as scallops. These are high in protein and very low in fat, which is always an added bonus. Other foods which could help skin renewal include mussels, anchovies and prawns.

I love walnuts. Actually, I love all nuts but as well as being a delicious and healthy snack, these brain shaped morsels can help keep your hair luscious and rich in color. Walnuts contain copper, which as well as boosting that all important collagen, also helps the body produce melanin, the pigment which colours hair. So for luscious locks, have a handful of unsalted nuts a day!

Now that it's getting colder and we're in need of a hearty warm breakfast to set us up for the day, what better way to start the day than with a bowl full of delicious oats? If you're looking at your nails and they're thin and brittle, it may be that you're lacking in vitamin E. Oats are a great source of vitamin E, which can help keep your nails strong.

Mama always told me to eat my greens and thank goodness I listened. Broccoli is a fabulous beauty and health boosting food for so many reasons. It's an immunity booster and contains a useful amount of lutein to promote eye health. It also contains an abundance of elements such as beta-carotene, pantothenic acid and sulphur compounds which help the skin. And as if this that wasn't enough, it is also high in that all important vitamin C, which promotes collagen synthesis. It's actually higher in vitamin C than many citrus fruits!

Watercress always takes me back to my childhood when my mother would make me egg and watercress sandwiches. Yeah they were stinky and the other kids would sit far far away from me, but little did I know then what a beauty boosting food they were. These green leaves are rich in sulphur. Hold on, another science lesson coming. Sulphur aids protein absorption in the body, helps purify the blood and regenerate cells and also promotes healthy skin and hair by helping in the production of collagen. Amazing. Thanks mom for my stinky lunches!

These are just a few foods with beauty boosting properties. We all know it's not just the foods we eat which have an effect on the way we look, but our lifestyle and mental attitude (make it a positive one) also have a profound effect. What foods do you enjoy indulging in which help keep you looking fabulous? I think it's safe to say we all want to know!

Sources: Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal, Reader's Digest