In the age of routine use of face washes, moisturizers, serums and face masks, the global skin care market is a $150 billion dollar industry. Most people tend to focus on how they treat their skin with products externally, but don’t often consider that what they put into their body has a direct effect on how they look. The skin being the largest organ in the body really confirms the old adage “You are what you eat.” Here are 5 foods in the Vietnamese diet that lead to glowing skin and a better lifestyle. 

Fountain Of Youth – Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes can be seen everywhere and ready to eat from on the street carts to the grocery stores – and that is for good reason. It is simply delicious, filling and highly nutritious. Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, which converts into the active form of Vitamin-A (retinol) and helps with healthy cell reproduction and growth. They also contain anthocyanins which have anti-aging properties, vitamin-C which helps with collagen production, and folate which protects against UV damage. 

Fun fact: The people of Okinawa prefecture in Japan have one of the longest life spans on earth and that can be attributed to making sweet potato a staple part of their diet. 

Health On A Toast – Avocado

Packed with antioxidants, healthy fats and vitamins, avocados may speed up skin repair and improve chronic skin conditions like eczema and acne as well as helping with weight management. Avocados are an excellent source of vitamin-E and vitamin-C which play a key role in the vitality of your skin. In addition, vitamin-E and C help prevent ultraviolet (UV) damage from the sun that can cause wrinkles, aging and skin cancer.

Eating And Healing – Oysters

Vietnam has a large seafood culture, which is why I can’t leave out the amazing benefits of incorporating oysters and salmon into your diet. 

Oysters are chock-full of zinc, an essential mineral that your body cannot produce on its own and that is vital to boosting your immune system to prevent sickness and support wound healing. Zinc is a major player in skin repair that helps create collagen, which provides the structural support in skin. Zinc also helps maintain stronger nails, keeps your scalp and hair healthy and promotes eye health. 

Bridging The Omega-3 Gap – Salmon

Salmon is a great source of protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are linked to reducing inflammation (a major cause of collagen breakdown and loss of skin elasticity) and acne. Having high levels of good fats like omega-3 in your diet will not only keep your skin moisturized but will also promote heart health, brain health and reduce the risk of certain cancers. 

Salmon also contains vitamin-D, which is great for skin cell growth and repair against the damaging UV rays. 

Vietnam’s Superfood – Morning Glory

Morning Glory, also known as rau muống, is quite a popular vegetable in Vietnam but did you know that it also has amazing benefits for your skin? Abundant in vitamin-A and vitamin-C as well as 14 other vitamins and minerals, morning glory boosts the immune system and has healing properties for the skin and hair. Rau muống is also an excellent source of the mineral magnesium, which promotes bone health, cardiovascular health and better sleep.