There’s a food that can unlock that ever allusive “fountain of youth”

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh smooth, healthy, glowing skin. We all want it and there are millions spent every year from people trying to get it. Ironically it may be easier to find the trick to great skin in a supermarket than at a cosmetic counter.

There’s a food that can unlock that ever allusive “fountain of youth” and you can find it in your local supermarket’s dairy aisle! What is it? Yogurt!

Your mind may go straight to the sugary snack full of fruit, but that’s not the kind we’re referring to. We’re talking basic, unsweetened yogurt. When prepared correctly this super food offers numerous health benefits.

Yogurt, which can be used topically as well as ingested, is full of healing properties including zinc, lactic acid, calcium, B vitamins and has probiotics (literally meaning “for life”) in it too.

Here are some ideas of how to reap the benefits of this wonder food.

A healthy snack:

Simply incorporating yogurt into your diet is a great place to start. In dermatologist Nicholas Perricone’s book, The Perricone Prescription, he lists yogurt as one of the ten superfoods to eat for a healthy and youthful appearance. And, according to beauty expert Narine Nikogosian, author of Return to Beauty, yogurt contains plenty of amino acids which are good for eradicating dark under-eye circles.

But wait, there’s more! According to a study done by the University of Washington in Seattle, eating yogurt may increase feelings of satiety and keep you eating (and weighing) less.

Since most of us wouldn’t enjoy eating plain unsweetened yogurt, try this: add a bit of honey to it.

The simple and satisfying taste will surprise you!

Fun fact: this yogurt/honey combo was called “the food of the gods” ancient India.

A yogurt facial:

Before you drop the big bucks on that pricey skin cream promising to improve your complexion, try this: Mix 1 cup yogurt with a few drops of olive oil and a tablespoon of honey. Apply to face, and leave on for about 20 minutes, then rinse off and admire your glowing skin!

Fun fact: Yogurt contains lactic acid, which is an ingredient in some anti-aging skin treatments!

A replenishing hair treatment

If you have dry and/or damaged hair using yogurt as a hair mask can help to replenish moisture. For a natural conditioner, try this: slather half a cup of yogurt on to your hair when damp. Wrap in a towel and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and then with cool water. Shampoo as usual after and enjoy your hair’s enhanced softness and shine.

So now you know!