Your skin is the barrier between your body and the
outside world, and every day it is exposed to pollution, sunlight,
cigarette smoke and other factors that impact its health and appearance. All of these, as well as many of the body’s normal physiological processes, can culminate in the production of free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules that have become unstable because
they’ve lost an electron. Whilst their creation is a natural (and
healthy) part of our bodily functioning, they accumulate in greater
quantities as we get older. Unfortunately, the body’s ability to handle
them declines at the same time. This accumulating imbalance is believed
to contribute to many of the effects of ageing, including those
observed in the skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles sunlight and ultraviolet radiation are some of the most potent
generators of free radical damage in the skin. Observing their effects
is as simple as comparing the difference in texture of the skin on your
outer forearm (which is often exposed to the sun) with the skin on your
torso, which (unless you’re prone to sunbaking) is less likely to be
sun damaged.
Depending on your age and the climate where you live, you’ll notice
that the skin on your outer arm is likely to be thicker and coarser,
and perhaps even more freckled or pigmented, dehydrated or prematurely aged.
These changes to the skin texture occur in part because free radical
damage interferes with the integrity of elastin and collagen, depleting
their ability to remain supple and elastic. With their ongoing decline
in integrity, the skin loses its firmness and becomes wrinkled, and
ageing becomes apparent.
To minimise the ageing effects of free radical damage on
your skin (and elsewhere in your body), protect yourself from sunburn
and UV-radiation, and don’t smoke or use recreational drugs. Avoid
alcohol binges too.
Antioxidants are compounds that donate an electron of
their own to restabilise free radicals, and are the body’s way of
minimising free radical damage.
Antioxidants occur in many forms. The body produces some, but many are consumed in the diet. When using a natural skincare range such as Kora Organics, you’re even applying antioxidants to your skin from the outside!
For glowing, healthy skin, your diet should contain abundant
quantities of antioxidant-rich fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and
seeds. Some foods are renowned for their exceptionally high content of
antioxidant nutrients and of these, our favourite is the açaí berry
from Brazil.
The antioxidants in acai berries
are a variety called anthocyanins and proanthocyanins. They have a deep
purple colour and are also found in red wine, blueberries and similarly
coloured foods, and they are believed to be responsible for these
foods’ anti-ageing health benefits.
The levels of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins in açaí berries are
much greater than those in wine and berries. For example while a glass
of red wine may contain 24-35 mg of anthocyanins per 100 millilitres,
the same quantity of acai contains 320 mg. Scientists are still evaluating all the health benefits of acai berries,
but with an antioxidant content as powerful as that, there’s little
doubt they’re invaluable when it comes to helping your body mop up free
radicals!
To reap the free radical-fighting benefits of açaí berries for your skin, add some RioLife Organic Freeze Dried Acai powder to your morning smoothie or juice, stir it into your yoghurt or sprinkle it over your breakfast cereal.
Jayne Tancred
Natural Health Writer
Naturopath, Herbalist.
Kora Organics
