Beauty Tips

Health & Beauty Report: The Beauty Benefits of 8 Heart Healthy Foods

Celebrate American Heart Month by indulging in these foods that are good for both your health and beauty

by Audrey Fine

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Berries = youthful-looking skin The scoop: "Berries like blueberries and acai," says Simpson are "rich in proanthocyanidins (a kind of condensed tannin -- like the ones found in red wine that are purported to pack many health benefits) and have been shown to help reduce oxidative stress in the body." What that means in language we can easily understand is that research has shown that these proanthocyanidins may act as "free radical scavengers" that "gobble up" some of the "bad" things that get into our bodies like pollution and cigarette smoke.

Bauer concurs and says that berries are "loaded with antioxidants that have health-boosting effects all over your body -- they've been shown to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure." She also notes that, "antioxidants may help fend off wrinkles." And, Lisa Drayer, author of "The Beauty Diet," is a huge fan of the simple blueberry, saying, "I included [them] in my Top 10 Beauty Foods because their antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects protect you from premature aging."

Tip: Think twice before tossing your daily dose of berries on top of your cereal and milk. Research has shown that the proteins in milk interfere with the body's absorption of antioxidants. A better way to eat them is in oatmeal or blended into a milk-free smoothie -- or, of course, just by the handful.

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