Healthy skin through exotic fruit?

"It's called durian," said Dr. Murad. "It's found really in parts of Southeast Asia. It has so many wonderful ingredients."

Known as the "king of fruit" in Asia, dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad says durian contains hydrating oils, inflammation-fighting antioxidants, along with a natural sugar called trehalose that attracts water to your cells, providing a skin-plumping affect.

"So as you eat this, it's actually better than drinking water," said Dr. Murad.

Other skin superstars? Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, walnuts and flaxseed have been shown to reduce inflammation and help keep skin supple.

Eggs also tops the list. With 13 vitamins and minerals in the yolk alone, it is a good comprehensive food.

Pomegranates have been shown to help protect against skin cancer, while rainforest fruit açaí is an antioxidant powerhouse, and goji berries, which Dr. Murad says are one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet.

"It has amino acids, B vitamins, trace minerals, it actually has 500 times, pound for pound, of vitamin C, versus the almighty orange," said Dr. Murad.

Combining pomegranate juice, blueberries, goji berries, flaxseed and soy milk, Murad suggests a goji berry shake for healthy skin and body alike.

"Your skin is connected to the rest of your body," said Dr. Murad. "We need to treat the whole body, not just the skin. If we want healthy skin, we need to treat it internally, externally, and emotionally as well."

Found in Asian markets, durian can be found fried up as chips, although eating the pulp inside the spiky fruit provides the best results.

A few of these foods are tough to find in local markets, so some skin doctors have put them in various products. So if you can't eat them, wear them.

Dr. Murad's Goji Berry Shake:

• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup soy milk
• 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or unsweetened frozen)
• 1 tablespoon lecithin granules
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 2 tablespoons dried goji berries
• 3 to 4 ice cubes or crushed ice (optional)
• Splenda (sucralose) or Stevia extract (optional)

Place all ingredients in a blender and liquefy.

 

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