Collagen is a huge component in your skin, hair, nails and general health. It makes skin, hair and nails look youthful, bouncy and healthy, however as you get older your body produces less collagen which leads to aging and less healthy skin and hair. However, to keep your body producing collagen, you can eat certain foods that can boost your natural collagen production no matter what age. Here are some of the top collagen boosting foods.
- Fish
Like different creatures, fish have bones and ligaments made of collagen. However the parts of the fish that contain the most collagen are the less desirable parts of the fish such as the skin, bones, head and eyeballs.
- Citrus fruit
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, limes and lemon are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a fundamental part of collagen production. Getting your daily dose of vitamin C is crucial for the skin.
- Berries
Berries are another fruit with high contents of vitamin C. In Fact strawberries actually have more vitamin C than oranges. As Well as the high vitamin C contents berries also have antioxidants which are great for protecting the skin from damage.
- Garlic
Garlic has so many health benefits, and one you may not know of is its contents of sulfur. Sulfur helps prevent the breakdown of collagen.
- Tropical fruits
Tropical fruits are another on the list with high vitamin C. Tropical fruits such as mango, kiwi, pineapple and guava. Guava also is high in zinc which is another great ingredient for collagen production.
- Leafy greens
Leafy greens as we all know are a key feature in a healthy diet. These greens also have chlorophyll which is an amazing antioxidant for the skin. Chlorophyll also increases the precursor for collagen production.
- Beans
Beans are great for collagen because they not only have copper (a nutrient for collagen production) they also have proteins necessary for collagen.
- Tomatoes
Tomatoes (including sundried) also contain the high vitamin C levels needed for collagen production.
- Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds boost your levels of zinc and copper. Zinc and copper are great nutrients to support collagen production.
- Bell peppers
Bell peppers are yet another food with vitamin C. In Fact half of the bell pepper is around 117 ml of Vitamin C. As Well as this bell peppers contain anti-inflammatory properties that combat aging.
- Eggs
Eggs have large amounts of proline, which is an amino acid which is a key component for collagen production.