Depending on how green your thumb is, you can sprout these fruits on the tiny patio of your apartment or in an expansive garden in your backyard. Registered dietitian and nutritionist Kaleigh McMordie MCN, RDN says these red babies are high in the antioxidant lycopene, which research has shown can naturally protect your skin from harmful UV damage. You make the quality of this ingredient richer when you cook it, so add it to your latest stir-fry variety. While it won't replace sunscreen, it can help your skin to remain radiant and healthy, especially with its added bonus of vitamin C.
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If you enjoy grilling during the hottest days of the year, slice up a few in-season green or yellow peppers to complement your BBQ. As registered dietitian and nutritionist Amy Gorin, Ms, RDN explains, these veggies help to decrease wrinkling that happens around your crow's foot area, according to a study. If you'd rather eat 'em raw, Gorin suggests creating a fresh summer salad or using them as your vessel to dig into guacamole.
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You shouldn't feel guilty if you splurge a little on a daily iced coffee to cool down from the heat since Gorin says coffee may help decrease your risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. "The caffeine and polyphenols in coffee may provide some protective benefits to skin cancers caused by UVB rays," she explains. Though you probably want to shy away from too much milk since dairy can be problematic with acne for some, go ahead and take it black—and reap the benefits.
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Of all the drinks or foods you can consume to maintain a vibrant balance in your skin tone and complexion, Gorin says nothing quite compares to water. When you're hydrated, your skin is dewy, fresh and clear, but when you're lacking the aqua your body needs, your skin may look tired, dry and frazzled. In addition to lugging around a water bottle to make it easy to hydrate, Gorin says the summer is a great time to add melon slices or fruit to make your beverage a tad more interesting.
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Easy to snack on, mix into sparkling water or champagne, ideal for salads and desserts alike, there's a reason why strawberries are the star of the summer season. McMordie credits their high water content—92 percent, to be exact—as one of the many reasons they're superstars for our skin. One cup of these red beauties gives you 100 percent of the vitamin C your body requires in a day, helping to fight against free radicals—and preserve your youth. "Vitamin C is also important for the synthesis of collagen, one of the main components responsible for skin elasticity," she adds.
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