Want Glowing Skin? Eat These 4 Foods, Says A Gut Health Expert

As a general rule, eating a diverse diet filled with nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich plants is top-notch for skin health, but there are a few superstars that are known to especially nurture the gut-skin axis. On the mindbodygreen podcast, gut health expert Megan Rossi, Ph.D., R.D. (aka The Gut Health Doctor on Instagram), author of How To Eat More Plants, shares her favorites, featured below: 

"We definitely see this nice, clear gut-skin axis there with the dark chocolate," Rossi explains. Of course, the chocolate you choose matters: The higher the percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate, the less sugar (and the more antioxidants) there will be. "If you can get a good 80%, you're doing well," notes Rossi. "Even if you're into 70%, you know, it's better than going with your typical dairy [or] white chocolate in terms of those flavonoid benefits." 

"Green tea is another great one for the skin," says Rossi. It's supercharged with polyphenols, most notably the catechin epigallocatechin gallate3 (or EGCG), which research shows has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties4. One systematic review even found that drinking green tea helped protect the skin against UV rays and oxidative stress5, both of which can lead to accelerated skin aging. It's not a replacement for your daily sunscreen, but loading up on antioxidants can't hurt. 

In terms of skin health, these healthy fats are A+ for keeping skin supple and moisturized—thanks to their role in maintaining the integrity of the skin's outer layer to help keep hydration in and environmental aggressors out.*

But, alas, Americans aren't eating nearly enough fish—we're talking an average intake of only 4 ounces6 per week, when research suggests American adults should log 7 to 8 ounces at a minimum. To get your fill of those skin-healthy fats, you may want to think about supplementation, too. One study even found that participants who combined omega-3 supplements with topicals had improved overall skin health and appearance7 compared to those who only used topicals.*

"I completely understand for religious, cultural, or animal cruelty reasons why people may want to go 100% plant-based," Rossi explains. If you do follow a vegan diet, she suggests getting your healthy fats through walnuts, which contain essential omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The body converts ALA to EPA and DHA (which are the healthy fats found in fish oil); this conversion process is very inefficient and limited, so you'll want to consume a variety of plant-based omega-3 sources and perhaps consider fortified foods or supplements.

Focus on your gut health, and glowing skin will follow. In terms of the best foods to introduce to your complexion-enhancing menu, try implementing more dark chocolate, green tea, and foods filled with healthy fats. And for more of Rossi's gut health tips, make sure to tune in to the full episode on Apple or Spotify, or check out the full video below.