How men can fight skin aging with Zespri Green kiwifruit

Wrinkles are a tell-tale sign of age, and something that every mature man dreads. This is because as we age, skin gets drier, less elastic, thinner and duller, mainly as a result of the declining collagen content of the skin.¹ However, while you can’t do anything to stop yourself from getting older, you can take measures to prevent your skin from showing signs of aging – and we are not talking about expensive men's skin care products! As it turns out, nutrition has a far greater influence on the health and condition of our skin.

What causes wrinkles?

The appearance of skin aging occurs as a result of 3 main mechanisms:

1. The older you get, the less your cells produce collagen – an important protein in the skin that forms the basis for cells, which are the building blocks of the skin. ¹ It gives the skin its fullness, flexibility and elasticity.¹ This means that with time, the thinner and looser your skin appears.

2. The body’s cells are bombarded by substances called free radicals, which, over time, can damage healthy skin cells and DNA.² This can hasten the process of skin aging, including changes in skin thickness, elasticity and firmness.²

3. As we age, cells divide more slowly and the inner layer of skin (the dermis) starts to thin as cells divide more slowly and the layer of fat cells underneath begins to shrink.² This makes the dermis more prone to injuries and damage. In addition, the ability of the skin to repair itself decreases with age, so wounds heal more slowly.²

Zespri kiwifruit: eating your way to younger, firmer skin

Making sure that you get enough vitamins and minerals can keep your skin looking healthy, youthful and less tired. And when it comes to the skin, there is no better remedy than Zespri kiwifruit. This is because it boasts a wide range of essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients³ – all of which play a role in keeping our skin healthy.

One of the key benefits Zespri kiwifruit offers for the skin is its high vitamin C content.³ While vitamin C has always been known to fight off colds, its powers extend far beyond just keeping the immune system strong, benefiting the skin in three important ways:

1. It is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin.

2. It is a potent antioxidant and can help reduce skin cell damage caused by free radicals.

3. It participates in skin repair, helping cuts and abrasions heal.

Did you know?

At 85 mg per 100 g, Zespri Green kiwifruit has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C of all fruit – that’s even more vitamin C than oranges and strawberries! And Zespri SunGold kiwifruit contains more than three times the amount of vitamin C found in oranges ^3,4

So what are you waiting for! Try adding Zespri kiwifruit to your daily diet to see how it boosts and rejuvenates your skin's health.

Try it tonight! An easy vegetarian recipe to rev up your skin health
If you’re looking to spice up a salad or fancy serving a starter with a twist, why not try our vegetable, kiwi and quinoa salad recipe – a quick, easy vegetarian dish that that will give your skin a vitamin boost.

Sources

1. Oregon State University. Vitamin C and Skin Health. Available from: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/vitamin-C (accessed 29 October 2016)
2. University of Maryland Medical Center. Skin wrinkles and blemishes. Available from: http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/skin-wrinkles-and-blemishes (accessed 29 October 2016)
3. Zealand Ministry of Health. New Zealand FOODfiles 2014 Version 01. Available from: foodcomposition.co.nz/ (accessed 29 October 2016)
4. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (2015).