Eating up to two cups of fruit per day can benefit a person’s health, according to the USDA. Apples can boost the intake of crucial nutrients such as potassium and fiber, and they contain other nutrients that nourish the skin. Apples are a potent weapon in anyone's anti-aging arsenal, and some of their benefits are listed here.
Vitamin C
Apples provide high levels of ascorbic acid or Vitamin C. This vitamin encourages the body to make its own collagen, which is found abundantly in healthy skin. Collagen increases the skin’s elasticity and firmness, and high collagen levels can help a patient put off the need for a facelift. On average, a large apple has about 10 mg of Vitamin C, which is 14% of the recommended daily intake for women and 11% for men.
Copper
Apples are a great source of copper, a mineral that contributes to overall skin health. Copper helps the body make melanin, which pigments the skin and protects it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Melanin is a crucial component in other body tissues including the hair and eyes. Every large apple has roughly 60 mcg (micrograms) of copper, which gives it significant skin-boosting benefits that may help some people be able to put off that facelift Houston a little while longer than others.
Vitamin A
Apples contain a small amount of Vitamin A, which includes a skin-friendly chemical family known as retinoids. The vitamin plays a significant role in healthy skin development and is thought to have a role in a person’s risk of skin cancer. A medium to large apple offers 120 IU of Vitamin A, which is approximately five percent of the daily requirement for women and four percent for men.
Tips and Serving Suggestions
Apples travel fairly well, making them a healthy option for snacking. They go well in sandwiches and salads, or in a pureed soup with butternut squash, carrots, and ginger. Apples and cinnamon are a natural pair that can offer even greater health benefits, and the fiber can help a person feel fuller for longer.
An apple a day can help to keep the doctor away, and the benefits may reach further than expected. Apples have several skin-friendly vitamins and minerals that, while not enough to eliminate the need for plastic surgery, may be able to help some people prolong having to get a facelift. Furthermore, even after having plastic surgery, maintaining a healthy diet will help maintain that fresh and youthful appearance for many years to come!
So eat your apples for October’s National Apple Month, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Patt of the Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery when you’re ready to opt for something more permanent.
