Today’s Usage Tip: Feed your Skin

Eating your five-a-day of fruit and vegetables will not only keep you healthy and fit, but gives your skin a boost too, according to a new scientific study.

German scientists from the Institute for Experimental Dermatology at the University of Witten-Herdecke, discovered that the participants skin condition drastically improved and appeared thicker and more hydrated, when given a fruit and vegetable concentrate.

The study, published in the new issue of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, involved two groups of 26 health, middle-aged women. Half of the participants were given a micronutrient food supplement Juice Plus +(R), Fruit Blend and Juice Plus+(R) Vegetable Blend make primarily of fruit and vegetable juice powder, for twelve weeks using a monocentric, double-blind placebo and randomised controlled design, the other half were given a placebo capsule twice a day during the study period. 

After the participants finished the course of fruit concentrate and placebo capsules, researchers discovered that those who took the fruit concentrate had a 39% increase of microcirculation of the skin, 9% more hydration, 6% increase in thickness and 16% more in density. Those who took the placebo capsule suffered a decrease in all of these. 

The results followed an in-depth look into skin density and thickness, measured by ultrasound, and skin hydration, where scientists used a Cornometer(R) to assess transepidermal water loss.

The study found that the skin benefits from an optimal supply of fruit and vegetable-based nutrients and oxygen to facilitate the skin cell metabolism, producing visible skin improvements in hydration, density and thickness.

References

• Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Red Grapefruit Fights Heart
• Organic Facts: Health Benefits of Grapefruit
• The Happy Nutritionist: Grapefruits are Great Fruits!
• Health Guidance: How to Use Grapefruit to Lower High Blood Pressure
• "Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Tea and Lycopene Protect against Prostate Cancer; L. Jian, A.H. Lee, C.W. Binns; 2007
• National Institutes of Health: Age-Appropriate Diet For Children
• United States Department of Agriculture: Grapefruit Fun Facts
• United States Department of Agriculture: Grapefruit, Fresh
• National Institutes of Health: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)