Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Get Glowing Skin

Today is Cinco de Mayo. In case you were looking for an excuse to celebrate, we have one for you. Salsa is good for skin. Not sure whether to reach for traditional or spice things up with a fruit salsa? You really can’t go wrong as both have healthy skin benefits. To make sure you aren’t negating the healthy effect of the salsa, try to limit your alcohol intake and eat your salsa with other fresh veggies and leaner meat options.

Photo source

Red, tomato-based salsa is a favorite staple in Mexican dishes, and is low calorie, requires only few ingredients, and is delicious.  Here’s why salsa is good for your skin:

Tomato

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect cells from damage. Lycopene has been linked to preventing loss of skin collagen, which prevents sagging, as well as leading to fewer fine lines and furrows.  Tomatoes are loaded with vitamins A and C that are skin and immune-healthy.  Vitamin C protects the integrity of your tissues and aids in producing collagen. It also protects your cells from free radical damage. Vitamin A, helps revitalize skin by increasing cell turnover. It also contains potassium which gives skin a refreshing boost of nutrients and oxygen by improving circulation

Onions

In addition to Vitamin C, onions are rich in quercetin, an antioxidant that protects against wrinkles.  It may also help protect skin against UV damage.

Photo source

Fruit salsas can be a refreshing option to enjoy with fish dishes, tacos, or with veggies and chips.  Whether combined with tomatoes or on their own they add to the health factor for skin.  Here’s why:

Mango

Mango is also a great source of vitamins A and C.  In addition mango is a great source of silica, a mineral that helps your skin stay hydrated and plumped. That’s because silica retains 300 times its weight in water. Mangos also contain special enzymes that help your body absorb skin-supporting nutrients.

Pineapple

One cup of fresh pineapple chunks provides 131% of your vitamin C needs for the day.  The antioxidant vitamin C, can help to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin texture. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the formation of collagen the support system of your skin.

Avocado

Who doesn’t love guacamole on Cinco de Mayo?  Avocados can also be combined into salsas. Avocados deliver plenty of moisturizing vitamin E which eases dry skin and helps skin glow. Studies also show it may reduce free radicals and protect against damaging UV rays.

Spice up your Cinco de Mayo with a little (or a lot!) of salsa.  Your skin will thank you!  Salsas can be fun and relatively easy to make at home.  Need a recipe?  Here is one we like for a mango salsa.  What are you favorite salsa recipes?  Share with us in the comments or on our Facebook page.