Nowadays, people, most significantly, women, spend a lot on various skincare and anti-aging products to glow and look younger, but what if I told you that there are fruits that contain collagen, which is a natural way to look younger and fresher?
Yeah, you guessed right, the collagen in it is the secret. Collagen is one of the main proteins found in the body, the most abundant of them all.
It is also great for its anti-aging benefits, which reduce wrinkles, crow’s feet, and fine lines.
Research also shows that extra collagen is added to some skin care products to enhance a youthful look.
My concern is; why spend a fortune looking younger when it occurs naturally? Just by taking fruits that contain collagen
What is a Collagen?
As stated earlier, it is not just fruits that contain collagen; it is a protein found in the body and forms the structural protein of the skin, bones, digestive system, and connective tissues.
It is the critical ingredient for elasticity in the skin; it serves as the glue connecting all structures together, giving the skin a fuller, plumper, and smoother appearance.
Collagen can also be found in the teeth, cornea, and blood vessels.
What Are the Uses of Collagen?
It is not just about taking fruits that contain collagen. Do you know that collagen has many uses in medicine and even cosmetics that you sometimes spend a fortune on?
Collagen used for medicinal purposes is obtained from humans and other animals like; sheep, cows, or pigs.
Collagen found in collagen supplements is the broken form of collagen, according to research, making it useful for several medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
Naturally-produced collagen in the body enhances vision, hair growth, and injury recovery. Its natural properties also make it appealing for cosmetic applications.
Collagen can also be used as dermal fillers; to fill out shallow depressions in the skin, lines, and wrinkles.
Reconstruction of arteries, regeneration of peripheral nerves, and making of vascular prosthetics are made possible with the help of donor collagen tissue grafts.
Collagen also helps heal wounds, as mentioned earlier, in terms of injury recovery by attracting new skin cells to the damage.
It can also be used in periodontics as a barrier to prevent fast-growing gum tissue from developing into a wound in the tooth, allowing the tooth to regenerate.
What are the Various Types of Collagen?
There are over 40 types of collagen found in the body, four of which are exceptionally essential to the body:
- Type I constitutes about 90% of the body’s collagen, commonly found in the connective tissues of skin, bones, and ligaments.
- Type II is common in elastic cartilage, which mainly provides joint support.
- Type III– Found in the muscles, arteries, and organs. They are responsible for cell organization in the organs and tissues.
- Type IV– Found in the layers of the skin within the basement membrane zone. It aids in the filtration of the kidneys and other organs.
Fruits That Contain Collagen
There are various fruits that contain collagen, there are wet and dry fruits; some watery fruits rich in collagen are as follows:
1. Avocados
These butter fruits contain omega 3 that helps boost collagen production, which is suitable for bone health.
They are also a great source of healthy fats, which can serve as a good source of energy throughout the day.
2. Oranges
Everyone’s summer favorite contains vitamin C, which can increase collagen production in the body, and helps the skin heals.
3. Berries
Another one of the healthy fruits that contain collagen present and can help prevent diabetes and manage osteoarthritis pain.
Research shows that these fruits contain ellagic acid, which protects against UV damage.
4. Bananas
Collagen content in these nutritious fruits can promote heart health and aid in weight gain.
5. Grapefruit
This sweet-sour fruit can support healthy vision and help with skin problems due to its collagen content.
6. Lemon
This fruit contains vitamin C, which helps rejuvenate skin and repair damaged skin cells. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin firmer.
7. Figs
Figs increase skin moisture content, prevent wrinkles, and slow aging, according to studies.
The antioxidants in dry figs help remove spots on the skin, and they promote collagen production that reduces wrinkles.
Research also states that it can be used as a face mask to make it glow and healthy by blending it with honey and applying it on the face.
Dry Fruits that Contain Collagen
1. Dates
These prevalent dry fruits, especially in Muslim countries, are very nutritious and beneficial to the body and skin.
The presence of free radicals, according to research, in the body is the cause of premature skin aging.
Regular eating of dates can help provide the body with vitamins such as A and B, which profers solutions to skin issues like itchy and dry skin, and also help prevent wrinkles making the skin glow.
2. Raisins
According to studies, raisins help in the reduction of skin hyperpigmentation.
It contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals like omega-3 fatty acids, which help produce collagen, allowing the skin to achieve a healthy glow.
Raisins can help slow the aging process, smooth and soften the skin, and remove toxins from the blood.
3. Walnuts
Walnuts have the ability to exfoliate, making them popular ingredients in body and face scrubs.
They are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids which are great for skin and hair.
Nutritionists assert that walnuts strengthen skin cell membranes, making the skin more supple and radiant.
4. Prunes
These dried plums, with more antioxidants in them than other dry fruits, help delay the appearance of premature skin aging, wrinkles, and skin sagging.
According to research, prunes also have minerals in them, like manganese, vitamin K, and even beta-carotene, that can help the skin look younger and healthier.
5. Pine Nuts
Pine nuts are dry fruits that contain collagen-making nutrients. These nuts are also a good source of antioxidants that can help slow the aging process.
They have anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent for sensitive skin types.
6. Goji Berries
Goji berries are also an excellent source of collagen because they are rich in antioxidants.
They also have high vitamin A content which helps maintain healthy skin and good eyesight.
7. Acai Berries
These are excellent choices for collagen because they are rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants which help fight free radicals in the body, slowing down the aging process and making the skin look healthier and younger.
8. Dried Apricots
Prepared by dehydrating fresh apricots, these rich-in-dietary-fiber fruits contain high amounts of antioxidants that prevent oxidative stress that reduces collagen levels in the skin, enhancing collagen production in the body.
Beta-carotene in these fruits gets converted into vitamin A, which can offer UV protection to prevent photo-aging and pigmentation of the skin, which can damage the skin.
9. Pistachios
These cashew family members are very nutritious and high in antioxidants.
Some studies show that they contain a higher amount of antioxidants than many other varieties of nuts and seeds.
They are rich in vitamin B6, which reduces inflammation and helps in improving skin health.
Their nutrients, characteristic of collagen, help feed the skin and regenerate new cells.
10. Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are rich in vitamin E, which helps the skin hydrate and heal scars.
They produce collagen, which is good for the hair and skin. Its oil helps protect the skin from UV ray damage and helps fight acne.
They are a good source of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body, slowing the aging process.
The amino acids and fat present in the nuts help regenerate and boost healthy brain cells.
Conclusion
Collagen is an essential and beneficial protein that contributes to the body’s glowing power and youthful look.
An amazing fact about food, veggies, and fruits that contain collagen is that they are present naturally in this our daily intakes from different sources, and as mentioned above, we don’t have to spend a fortune to glow and look younger.
A healthy lifestyle is another secret to looking more youthful, and this also means being natural with no additives whatsoever.
As the saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
