10 Best Foods for Your Body

Food can do a lot more than simply satiate and satisfy. We've gathered grub that is great for your hair, skin, eyes, heart, and more.

By RealBeauty editors

1. Avocado for Shiny Hair

"Long touted as the miracle hair food, they're high in vitamins B and E which promote a healthy scalp and the growth of new strands," says Cynthia Pasquella, certified clinical nutritionist, SoCal Cleanse founder. "They're also full of healthy, monounsaturated fats to plump up and moisturize hair follicles. Talk about shine!"

2. Kiwifruit for Your Bones

Eating kiwifruit will not only help maintain clear skin, it will also promote healthy bones. Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, author of The Beauty Diet, says one cup peeled kiwifruit contains more vitamin C than the equivalent amount of oranges. Plus, it neutralizes free radicals that could lead to things like cancer and heart disease.

3. Garbanzo Beans to Fight Grey Hair

"Since hair is primarily made up of the protein, keratin, it's important to get enough protein to fight off hair breakage and loss," explains Pasquella. "These beans, also known as chickpeas, provide tons along with the trace mineral manganese. It's known to prevent changing pigmentation, a.k.a. gray hair!"

4. Oysters for Your Eyes

Not only are oysters full of zinc and selenium, according to Drayer, the high levels of these minerals serve as an antioxidant and help protect you against eye-related disease.

5. Cilantro to Prevent Hair Loss

"This herb works wonders for hair loss!" says Pasquella. "It works as a purifying agent to rid the body of toxic metals quickly. A good thing, since they can stop nutrients from getting to your scalp, resulting in hair loss and dull strands."

6. Salmon for Your Heart

Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease. A study from Diabetes & Metabolism found that omega-3s keep the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking.

7. Lentils for Hair Growth

"They're an ideal source of iron, which is so important for full, lustrous locks!" exclaims Pasquella. "Iron helps bring oxygen to the hair follicles, leading to growth and fullness. This is especially key if you have thin hair."

8. Ginger, Turmeric, Cocoa, Cayenne, and Cinnamon for Your Blood

These spices have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body, says Paula Simpson, BASc, RNCP. They also help balance blood sugar and can be easily incorporated into beverages or even food.

9. Hemp Powder for Dry Scalp

"Add a scoop to a smoothie to infuse your hair with essential fatty acids," suggests Pasquella. "This fortifier has the optimal ratio of omega-6 and -3 fatty acids, letting them work most effectively. Insuffiecient amounts of either can lead to a dry scalp and brittle hair."

10. Banana for Your Libido

Loaded with B vitamins, the well-hung fruit helps boost testosterone. According to Lynn Nezin, co-author of Great Food, Great Sex, low testosterone levels can make for a sluggish sex drive in men and women.

Source: RealBeauty