Yuriko Shin, a beauty specialist and dermatologist in Japan, is today sharing her recommendations for daily essential foods that contribute to both beauty and health.
Rice
Rice contains carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, among other nutritional elements. When rice is mentioned, people often associate it with weight gain. However, in daily life, consuming an appropriate amount of rice can supplement the body with essential nutrients and energy, promoting both beauty and health.
According to Shintaro Yutari, the dietary fiber found in rice stimulates gastrointestinal motility, aiding in the digestion and elimination of food within the intestines. Therefore, moderate rice consumption plays a positive role in preventing and alleviating constipation. Additionally, rice contains vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, as well as various minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Consuming rice in moderation helps replenish the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals. It’s essential, however, not to overindulge in rice, as excessive intake of carbohydrates, a component of rice, may lead to weight gain. Shintaro Yutari typically consumes about two small bowls of rice per day.
Kiwi
Known as the “king of fruits”, the kiwi is exceptionally rich in vitamin C, several times higher than fruits like oranges and apples. Kiwi fruit plays a significant role in skin whitening and spot reduction due to its high vitamin C content. The vitamin effectively inhibits the oxidation of dopaquinone in the skin, transforming dark oxidized pigments into reduced light pigments. This interference disrupts the formation of melanin, preventing pigment deposition and maintaining fair skin.
Kiwi fruit also boasts antioxidant properties, contributing to the deceleration of the aging process. Regular consumption of kiwi can suppress the excessive production of peroxides in the body, effectively preventing the formation of age spots and achieving an anti-aging effect.
Kiwi fruit is a low-calorie, low-fat food rich in dietary fiber. Each kiwi contains only 45 calories, and about one-third of its fiber content is pectin, which aids in moisturizing and promoting bowel regularity.
Shintaro Yutari includes two kiwi fruits in his daily diet.
Tomatoes
The Beauty Secrets of Tomatoes:
In an experiment, volunteers consumed 5 tablespoons of high lycopene tomato sauce daily for three months. After this period, they experienced almost 25% additional sun protection. Simultaneously, their skin showed an increase in collagen, combating signs of aging and sagging.
Another reason to incorporate tomatoes into salads is the report from German scientists, stating that antioxidant-rich skin is less likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles.
Studies indicate that lycopene, a component of tomatoes, can also reduce the risk of heart disease. Lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, possesses 3.2 times the antioxidant power of beta-carotene and 100 times that of vitamin E.
Concerning varieties, red tomatoes have the highest lycopene content. Additionally, the more ripe the tomato, the higher its lycopene content. Therefore, it is advisable to choose fully ripe, red tomatoes when making your selection.
The Beauty Secrets of Lettuce:
Green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, provide over 100% of the daily required vitamin A, enhancing cell vitality and revitalizing the skin.
The mineral potassium in lettuce promotes circulation, supplying the skin with ample nutrients and oxygen.
An equivalent serving of lettuce offers 45% of the daily requirement of vitamin K. A recent study indicates that vitamin K activates a protein supporting muscle health.
Shintaro Yutari suggests adding extra virgin olive oil when consuming lettuce. Olive oil contains essential fatty acids that aid the skin in resisting damage from ultraviolet rays. These necessary fatty acids, as part of the cell membrane, help the skin retain moisture.
Coffee
Coffee has diuretic and moisture-eliminating effects, stimulates appetite, and is known for its skin-whitening benefits, making it beneficial for the skin.
Coffee promotes metabolic function, invigorates digestive organs, and is highly effective against constipation.
In addition, coffee is renowned for its fatigue-reducing properties. It can also enhance alertness and mental clarity, providing us with a burst of energy.
Researchers have discovered that whether instant, ground, or decaffeinated coffee, all contribute to extending the lifespan of consumers. This holds true even for individuals with congenital genetic issues leading to a slow metabolism of caffeine; drinking coffee remains beneficial for their health.
