Clear skin is always in. Not only does it give you the luxury of a get-up-and-go glow, but a clear complexion is a sign that your body’s largest organ is in good health. Routine has a steady hand in this, and though we often chalk that up to sleep, exercise and stress management, a glowing complexion also requires good hydration and nutrition. With so many super foods in season, the summer is one of the best times of year to set your diet face-first. To help you get started, we’ve concocted this pineapple papaya blueberry smoothie, a feast for the skin that treats your body to the beauty-boosting nutrients you’ll need to shine from the inside out.
This shake packs a powerful punch! In just one serving, you’ll get:
Vitamin C
Great for collagen production, vitamin C is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Papaya, this recipe’s main event, contains over 200% of your RDA. Papain, its most prevalent enzyme, is known for aiding in the digestion of proteins and promoting good gut health. Used in many anti-aging serums and exfoliants, it is also known for fighting free-radicals, promoting moisture and encouraging skin renewal.
Antioxidants
The high antioxidant levels in this smoothie are credited to our blueberries. With ½ cup of blueberry juice topping the ORAC charts at 2,906, blueberries are rich in antioxidants, limiting the production of free-radicals and reducing signs of aging overall.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a skin-refining enzyme commonly found in your favourite beauty products. Rich in foods like pineapple, bromelain is well known for its anti-swelling, anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing properties. A naturally occurring alpha hydroxyl acid, bromelain is often used in chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, clearing it of pore-clogging inhibitors and allowing your refreshed skin to glow through. Bromelain also works hand in hand with papain to speed up protein digestion. Since your skin’s main component is protein, how well you digest it plays a large role in the clarity of your complexion. With research showing gut health (see gut-brain-skin axis) as one of the secrets to glowing skin, good digestion is instrumental, as it allows your body to absorb what it needs to fortify your skin.
Protein
Your hair and nails are mainly comprised of a protein called keratin. Keratin is one of the toughest proteins around, and one of the major reasons your nails are harder than any other part of your body. In order for your body to produce this protective protein, you’ll need to ensure you get enough through your diet, otherwise you could be faced with weak nails, brittle hair and lacklustre skin. Not sure you’ll fill the (nutritional) gap? We’ve got just the trick!
For this Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie, you’ll need:
- ½ cup of pineapple, cored and chopped
- ½ cup of papaya, chopped
- 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries
- ½ cup of coconut water
- 1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein
- 1 slice of pineapple, for garnish
- Drop ingredients into blender individually, starting with coconut water and ending in pineapple.
- Blend for roughly 3 minutes on medium.
- Pour into a glass of choice. Garnish with pineapple slice and dots of blueberry.
- Enjoy!
- Osterweil, N. (2004, January). Web MD. The Benefits of Protein. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/men/features/benefits-protein
- Boldt, E. (2017, June). Proteolytic Enzymes Reduce Inflammation and Boost Immunity. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/proteolytic-enzymes/
- Jeffers, L. (2016, February). 23 Foods That Are Good For Your Skin. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/23-foods-good-skin/
- Arck, P., Handjiski, B., Hagen, E., Pincus, M., Bruenahl, C., Bienenstock, J., & Paus, R. (2010, May). Is there a 'gut-brain-skin axis'? Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20113345
- Rashad, M. M., Mahmoud, A. E., Ali, M. M., Nooman, M. U., & Al-Kashef, A. S. (2015). Antioxidant and Anticancer Agents Produced from Pineapple Waste by Solid State Fermentation. International Journal of Toxicological and Pharmacological Research 2015,7(6), 287-296. doi:0975-5160
