What to eat to prevent wrinkles: ward off laugh lines and other wrinkles with these five foods - beauty

Natural Health, April, 2002

YOU NEED TO EAT A well-balanced diet to have healthy-looking skin. To fight wrinkles, though, certain foods are a must, says Alison Levitt, M.D., a holistic family physician in Asheville, N.C. Most anti-wrinkle foods are rich in antioxidants, which neutralize the effects of free radicals that attack your skin's collagen and elastic tissue, forcing them to lose their firmness. Levitt and other skin experts consider these five the best.

1. BLUEBERRIES Blueberries and other berries are packed with powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Eat one or more 1/2-cup servings daily; because berries are typically treated with a lot of pesticides, choose organic if possible.

2. KALE Like other greens, kale is rich in the antioxidant lutein and contains iron, which transports oxygen to your skin, and vitamin A, which helps prevent premature aging. Eat two or more 1/2-cup servings of kale or other greens a day.

3. RED PEPPERS Red or dark orange vegetables are loaded with the antioxidant vitamins A and E and bioflavonoids, which moisturize and heal your skin. Eat two or more 1/2-cup servings a day of red peppers, carrots, beets, or similarly colored veggies.

4. SALMON Salmon and other cold-water fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which hold off wrinkles by preventing inflammation and lubricating your skin. Eat a 3-ounce serving of these fish one to three times a week.

5. TOMATOES Tomatoes contain lycopene, a skin-friendly antioxidant that also reduces your cancer risk. Your body can better use lycopene if the tomatoes are cooked. Eat at least 1/2 cup of cooked tomatoes a day. --K.P.L.

Other Anti-Wrinkle Habits

* Drink four to six glasses of water daily.

* Wear sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen when in the sun,

* Don't smoke.