Does eating well really make you look good? I’m thrilled to report that supporting sustainable farmers and eating whole, diverse foods helps not only the agricultural system at large but your skin too. When we eat a wider variety of foods, we help combat the lack of biodiversity in the agricultural system, and we consume the natural, skin-healing properties of many fruits and vegetables.
The UN Environment Programme published an article examining an “ironic twist:” We eat food to survive, but the food we eat contributes to the ongoing issues caused by the industrialized food production system — which uses practices that release pollution and cause a loss of biodiversity in the ecosystem.
There is a long process between when our food is grown to when it gets to market shelves. First, crops are harvested (likely far from where they are sold), and then packaged, transported and finally sold at a grocery store. This resource-heavy process is a big contributor to the pollution on our planet. When crops are flown or shipped overseas to get to where they will be sold, a large amount of air pollution is released. Additionally, crops grown using unsustainable farming methods — like the use of pesticides — deplete the soil and even contaminate other areas like rivers and lakes through agricultural runoff.
Supporting local farmers or companies with sustainable missions is a great way to fight against this issue because they help reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through their farming methods. Sustainable farming “promotes biodiversity and [decreases] the use of harmful chemicals” through methods like crop rotation and pest management. Crop rotation is when crops are grown in different areas to help combat soil depletion, and pest management is the use of natural methods to control pests rather than using chemicals.
We are lucky to live in California, where we have access to farmers markets all year round. Supporting these local farmers has many benefits for our community, ecosystem and our health. The vitamins in many foods have properties known to help clear skin. Additionally, having a more diverse diet helps the issue of a lack of biodiversity in the agriculture system. Over recent decades, over 90% of crop varieties have disappeared due to the disproportion of foods that are grown and sold worldwide. According to the UN Environment Programme, there are “nine plant species that make up 66% “of total crop production.” Some of the most common crops grown and consumed in the world are maize, wheat, rice and sugarcane. There are many foods with nutrients that help with skin health and can be bought locally. Some examples are listed below.
Avocados are a very strong source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant with properties that can help protect skin from oxidative damage caused by the sun or environment. Avocados also contain Vitamin E which is an important antioxidant that helps with skin health too. Vitamin E is known to fight the effects of UV light, helping with healthier skin.
Sweet potatoes, carrots and oranges are all foods with high levels of beta carotene. This is a nutrient that is commonly found in plants. Beta carotene is a beneficial nutrient to consume because it can act “as a natural sunblock.” When you eat beta carotene it helps protect skin cells from exposure to the sun and sun damage.
Walnuts contain a type of fat called Omega-3. Omega-3 helps the cells in your body function better. This is also an important fat because it is good for your heart and helps moisturize your skin.
When you buy produce from the farmers market, you are supporting local farmers with sustainable practices while also helping take care of your skin and health.
Although the lack of biodiversity cannot be solved by one person, and we may not be able to buy everything at the farmers market, small changes definitely help combat this global issue and help us on our quest for glowing and beautiful skin, too.
