Last week I discussed how olives can improve skin health. Our skin is a major target of oxidative stress. Therefore, certain foods which provide antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress, and thereby reduce skin aging, including wrinkles.
Almonds, another Mediterranean Diet food, has also been shown to reduce wrinkles for the very first time.
In a small clinical trial of 28 postmenopausal women conducted at the University of California, Davis, women who consumed approximately 2.1 oz of almonds/day (about 48) for 16 weeks had significantly decreased wrinkle severity and wrinkle width compared to controls.
I love almonds! I’ve frequently lectured about their health benefits. A 1 oz serving (23 almonds) contains nearly 50% of the recommended intake of Vitamin E, an essential vitamin. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and when incorporated into cell membranes, can protect against free radical damage. Further there is overwhelming evidence that almonds can benefit cardiovascular health.
Consider adding this important Mediterranean Diet food to your skin and heart health regimen! And keep the skins on. They are also an important source of antioxidants