September is the beginning of the season for picking apples and pears and the end of the season for soft fruits and berries. Apart from the nutritious value of fruit, our Autumn fruits and berries contain all sorts of goodies for our skin.
Apples are a fruit bowl and lunchbox favourite, but they also contain plentiful nutrients for healthy skin. Their high vitamin C content helps to build collagen, and their levels of copper (60 mcg in a large apple) encourage your skin to produce melanin. Melanin also helps to build healthy tissues, hair and eyes.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which reduces the free-radical damage to your skin cells caused by pollution or excess sun exposure. These free radicals breakdown the collagen and elastin fibres that support your skin, and can encourage fine lines and wrinkles to develop along with other signs of premature ageing. [excerpt from Rosanna Davison Nutrition]
Strawberries are known for their sweetness and a host of health-boosting vitamins and minerals. In addition to high concentrations of vitamin C, they are rich in antioxidants, compounds that help neutralize free radicals in the body. In one study of 12 popular fruits, strawberries ranked the highest in antioxidant content, more than grapes, apples or tomatoes. [excerpt from Health, How Stuff Works].
Plums are another sweet fruit that's good for your skin and an excellent source of dietary Fibre. One helpful tip to remember in choosing fruits high in antioxidants is to look for deep purples and red hues, like those in plums, strawberries and other berries [excerpt from the International Food Information Council].
Pears are full of Fibre, an essential nutrient for your skin. Fibre slows the release of sugar into your blood, a good thing because repeated sugar spikes can damage collagen, a protein that keeps your complexion plump and smooth. [excerpt www.health.com]
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