Spring has finally arrived. You’ve never been more ready to pack away your puffa and sturdy boots for warmer, longer days. Many of us naturally gravitate toward brighter palettes during spring and summer, but layering punchy hues on your plate can also impact your health benefits, so bursts of color are a no-brainer. You shouldn’t be limited to your clothing choices.
You’re probably familiar with the concept of “eating the rainbow.” After all, this is the golden rule that almost all health experts follow, but do you actually know why you should add different shades to your plate? To explain, each color adds a specific nutritional value thanks to the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants hidden in highly pigmented foods.
Antioxidants are especially essential in your diet because they help eradicate damage caused by health-damaging molecules called free radicals, which are released by things like air pollution, sunlight, and cigarette smoke. A growing body of scientific evidence links antioxidants to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. There are different groups of antioxidants, and each specific type plays a specific health role due to its unique composition.
During the summer, you can’t go wrong with eating more red and orange foods, as they’re rich in a type of antioxidant called carotenoid, which has been shown to have powerful skin-protecting properties. Astaxanthin is one of the important carotenoids obtained from eating certain red foods, such as microalgae and seafood such as shrimp, crab, salmon, and lobster (in fact, astaxanthin gives these marine organisms their distinctive red color). ).
“Astaxanthin is also found in much smaller amounts in red or green fruits such as blueberries, pomegranates, and red peppers. However, bioavailability from these sources is low, so even if astaxanthin Even if it does exist, we are unlikely to be able to absorb much of it,” says BANT registered dietitian Eva Humphries (kyn.co.uk).
For this reason, astaxanthin is commonly taken in supplement form (try Green People’s Age Defy + Green Beauty With Astaxanthin, £38, greenpeople.co.uk) and is a popular choice for avid beauty shoppers. is also rapidly being used.
Celebrity-acclaimed, this ingredient is the secret ingredient that health lovers Gwyneth Paltrow and Heidi Klum swear by for optimal health. Because its potency is almost unparalleled on the antioxidant scale. Here’s an overview of how it helps…
Reduce damage from sunlight
The most common summer skin concern is UV damage, and adding astaxanthin to your skin care routine may help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Don’t ignore SPF, as burns cannot be completely prevented. However, there is evidence highlighting that carotenoids such as astaxanthin can help effectively repair DNA damage, especially if you have sensitive skin.
A 9-week study in Japanese participants found that supplementing with 4 mg of astaxanthin reduced skin moisture loss and protected against UV-induced skin deterioration compared to a placebo. “Astaxanthin has a protective effect on the skin’s lipid barrier. This layer of our skin is essential for protecting the skin and keeping it plump and hydrated,” says Humphries.
protect your brain health
Keeping your gray matter young as you age involves more than just completing mental puzzles and Sudoku. “A study of older adults with mild cognitive impairment found that astaxanthin supplementation modestly improved cognitive function and reduced fatigue associated with brain overload,” Dr. Humphries said. explains.
In fact, research has shown that the little-known astaxanthin is 770 times more active than coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant compound regularly used to protect the brain from oxidative damage. I am.
prevent wrinkles
Vitamin C has long been a buzzword in the beauty industry for its elasticity-boosting, whitening and skin-smoothing powers, but research shows that astaxanthin is a whopping 6,000 times more potent than vitamin C. It can help you achieve the glowing skin you’ve always dreamed of. . It’s for this very reason that beauty brands are starting to infuse their product ranges with antioxidants. Try Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum, £38, paulaschoice.co.uk.
Supports hormonal health
If you’re one of the many women living with an endocrine disorder like PCOS (especially in the UK, where it affects 1 in 10 women), supplementing with astaxanthin can help reduce insulin resistance. It may be possible to minimize symptoms such as sex and improve the overall lipid profile. One study in which women took 6 mg of astaxanthin twice a day for two months reported improvement in PCOS symptoms. Astaxanthin has also been shown to be beneficial for women with endometriosis undergoing assisted fertility treatment, but more research is needed to support its benefits.
