If someone told you there were eight foods that could make you more beautiful and help you feel a lot healthier, you’d want to eat up, right?
Consider this your grocery list.
Problem: Thin, Dry Hair
Fix: GREEN TEA
The benefits of green tea keep piling up, and here’s another one: The caffeine in tea slows the production of a chemical that shrinks hair follicles and results in thinner strands. He recommends two to three cups of tea daily. (Coffee drinkers, your morning cup of java can have the same effect.) But if you’re plagued with dry, flaky scalp or hair loss, it may be a sign that you’re not getting enough zinc. Meet your 8 milligram daily quota with a variety of zinc-rich foods like crabmeat, yogurt, baked beans, green peas and pumpkin seeds.
Problem: Ovarian Cancer
Fix: Earl Grey Tea
A number of flavonoids in specific teas like Earl Grey are anti-inflammatory and have positive effects on cell signaling pathways. Considering that ovarian cancer is so deadly—the 5-year survival rate is about 44%—it seems like a wise choice to make more tea time. But if Earl Grey and oolong aren’t your thing, you can still reap the cancer-fighting benefit of flavonoids. Other top food sources include apples, grapes, blueberries, red wine, dark chocolate, citrus fruits, and onions.
Problem: PMS
Fix: MILK or CHEESE
When women don’t get enough calcium, they may experience more severe cramps, mood swings and bloating. Research found that 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day (the amount in about two slices of Swiss cheese plus a glass of skim milk and a yogurt) can cut premenstrual symptoms by as much as 48 percent. If you tend to get headaches during your period, you may be low in magnesium. A quarter cup of almonds or cashews can help you meet up to 30 percent of your day’s needs for the mineral.
Problem: A Bad Mood
Fix: HEALTHY CARBS
When you’re blue, you probably crave sweets, and there’s a biological reason why: Simple carbs prompt the brain to secrete serotonin, the calming hormone that can ease stress and depression. But after the initial spike in mood, sugary treats set up the body for a blood sugar crash that can make your bad mood worse. A better food group for a boost in spirits: complex carbs like chickpeas, lentils and whole-grain bread.
Problem: Acne
Fix: FISH or WALNUTS
What you don’t want: anything made with white flour, especially refined, processed carbs like white bread and sugary cereals. (One study found that these foods triggered more breakouts than a diet rich in fish, fruit, whole grains and legumes.) What you do want: Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, which help control…