The ubiquitous apple is a rich source of a flavonoid called Quercetin; identified as a proteasome activator. A 2010 study in Experimental Gerontology reveals that Quercetin has a rejuvenating and anti-ageing effect upon the skin. Quercetin levels and the anti-ageing effects of apples are highest when the peel is also eaten.  An apple a day keeps the wrinkles away.

We’ve all heard that red wine contains a powerful antioxidant polyphenol called Resveratrol but did you know that this phytochemical is only in wine because it is in grapes; namely grape skins. Drinking red wine for anti-ageing is unlikely to give you the results that you’re looking for because alcohol itself is a beauty no-no. It is far healthier to get your Resveratrol from grapes or red grape juice.  Depending on the exact type of grape (dark red and purple have the most Resveratrol) you can imbibe up to 1.30mg of this anti-ageing compound in just 1 glass of grape juice or a large handful of grapes (160mg).

Oranges are an excellent facelift fruit full of collagen-stimulating vitamin C and one of the few fruits that are available all year round. Collagen is responsible for keeping your skin youthful, plump and firm but sadly production of collagen slows down after age 35 which is when many women start noticing signs of ageing. Vitamin C is essential to collagen production and yet is also one of the vitamins very low in the modern diet; RDA is astonishingly low. To boost collagen production you must increase vitamin C intake, make your own pulpy orange juice for a whopping 500mg of vitamin C in a large glass.

These delicious velvety fruits contain an anti-oxidant called Ellagic acid which has profound implications for preventing ageing and repairing sun-ageing. A recent study into ellagic acid published in Experimental Dermatology concluded:

“…Ellagic acid prevented collagen destruction and inflammatory responses caused by UV-B. Therefore, dietary and pharmacological interventions with berries rich in Ellagic acid may be promising treatment strategies interrupting skin wrinkle and inflammation associated with chronic UV exposure leading to photoageing”. 

A daily cup of berries can help to prevent and repair skin-ageing.

These richly-coloured berries contain a family of anti-oxidants; anthocyanins. Many studies have shown anthocyanins from berries to have a protective action against UV-induced skin ageing. They’ve also been shown to stabilise collagen and increase blood flow to the skin; bringing more oxygen and nutrients which can result in smoother, more evenly-toned and flawless skin.

It’s not enough to have the odd piece of fruit here and there if you really want to see a difference in the health, youth and beauty of your skin you need to elevate fruit to its deserved status of ‘number one facelift food’. Fill up your fruitbowl each week and aim to eat at least five portions of fruit daily – you’ll be well on your way to looking ten years younger, deliciously.